Chapter 11 - THE WOMAN WHO TRIED TO STEAL EVERYTHING
Vanessa Reed was desperate.
Her accounts were under investigation.
Her career was collapsing.
And Ethan had stopped answering her calls.
She believed Grace was responsible.
So she made one final attempt to regain control.
She contacted a tabloid reporter.
Offered photographs.
Messages.
And a fabricated story claiming Grace had begun an affair with Declan before separating from Ethan.
The article appeared on a Monday morning.
BILLIONAIRE CEO'S SECRET ROMANCE WITH PREGNANT HEIRESS SPARKS CORPORATE SCANDAL
Grace stared at the headline.
Then laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because it was absurd.
She had spent months trying to preserve her marriage.
And now the woman who helped destroy it was accusing her of infidelity.
Declan called.
“Have you seen it?”
“Yes.”
“I'm sorry.”
Grace frowned.
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Because my name is involved.”
She smiled faintly.
“Declan, you didn't write the article.”
He paused.
“No.”
“Then don't take responsibility for it.”
The company's legal team quickly documented the false claims and addressed the unauthorized disclosure of private information.
Vanessa's role became clear during the investigation.
Ethan was furious.
He confronted her at her apartment.
“You leaked those photographs?”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“You abandoned me.”
“You tried to destroy my wife.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Your wife?”
Ethan stared.
Vanessa continued.
“Funny how she's suddenly your wife again now that she's worth more than you.”
The words struck him.
Because they were true in a way he hated.
He had spent months treating Grace as disposable.
Now that she was leaving, he wanted her back.
Not entirely because he loved her.
But because he couldn't stand being the one left behind.
Ethan turned toward the door.
Vanessa shouted after him.
“You promised me everything!”
He stopped.
May you like
Then said quietly, “I promised things I had no right to promise.”
And walked away.
