Chapter 10 - THE DEAL THAT DESTROYED HIM
Elias's investigators uncovered the scheme within forty-eight hours.
Preston Wade had been desperate for money.
Caleb Sutter had access to the hotel's financial systems.
Together, they created a fraudulent transfer using Laurel's credentials.
The plan was simple.
Move the money.
Blame Laurel.
Then quietly reverse part of the transfer after WadeSphere secured new financing.
But Preston had made one mistake.
He assumed Elias North would believe whatever story powerful men told him.
He hadn't counted on Elias checking the evidence.
Or on June saving the access logs.
Or on Laurel refusing to disappear quietly.
The investigators also uncovered Preston's earlier theft of Laurel's fundraising software model.
And evidence that he'd misrepresented company revenue to investors.
By Friday morning, WadeSphere's board had suspended him.
His investors demanded an independent audit.
Caleb Sutter was removed from his position.
And law enforcement began reviewing the fraudulent transfer.
Preston called Laurel seventeen times.
She didn't answer.
Then he appeared outside her apartment.
Laurel opened the door only after confirming Elias's security team was nearby.
Preston looked exhausted.
His perfect hair was disheveled.
His expensive suit wrinkled.
“Laurel.”
She stared.
“What do you want?”
He swallowed.
“I need your help.”
She almost laughed.
“With what?”
“Elias North.”
Laurel's expression hardened.
Preston stepped closer.
“He'll listen to you.”
She stared.
“You tried to frame me for stealing nearly half a million dollars.”
Preston looked away.
“It wasn't supposed to go this far.”
Laurel felt something inside her break cleanly.
Not painfully.
Not dramatically.
Just finally.
“You were willing to ruin my career.”
He swallowed.
“I was desperate.”
“And that made me disposable?”
He said nothing.
Laurel looked at him.
For five years, she'd believed loving Preston meant helping him become the man he wanted to be.
Now she understood.
He had never wanted a partner.
He had wanted an audience.
And when she stopped applauding, he'd tried to destroy her.
She stepped backward.
“Goodbye, Preston.”
He reached toward her.
“Laurel—”
May you like
She closed the door.
And locked it.
