Chapter 4 - The Naked Truth
Julian sat on the cold marble floor, looking around the room in absolute horror.
In less than twenty minutes, his life had completely unraveled. His wife was an heiress to a fortune beyond his wildest dreams. His company was bankrupt. His father was clutching his chest in medical distress. His mistress’s family had abandoned him. And the most powerful man in the financial world was staring down at him with absolute contempt.
"Arthur," Clara spoke up, her clear voice ringing through the hall.
"Yes, Miss Sterling?" Arthur bowed.
"Execute the prenuptial default clause," Clara stated calmly.
Julian’s head snapped up. "What prenuptial clause?! We signed a standard agreement! If we divorce, you get nothing!"
"You signed a standard agreement, Julian," Clara said, stepping forward and looking down at him with pure pity. "Because you were so arrogant that you didn't read the finer details presented by my estate lawyers three years ago. The agreement states that in the event of proven infidelity or public defamation committed by either party, the offending party forfeits all personal assets, shares, and real estate acquired during and prior to the marriage to the injured party."
Julian’s eyes stretched wide. "No... no! My penthouse! My sports cars! My shares!"
"They belong to Clara now," Arthur Pendelton interjected smoothly, handing a signed court injunction to the police officers who had just entered the ballroom lobby. "Furthermore, my team has just filed criminal charges against you for corporate embezzlement regarding the funds you transferred to Miss Dupont’s private accounts last month."
Julian turned to Chloe, his voice rising into a panicky shriek. "Chloe! Tell them it was a business expense! Tell them!"
Chloe backed away, looking at Julian with absolute disgust. "Get away from me, you loser! Don't involve me in your crimes!"
Two police officers walked over, hauling Julian up from the floor by his arms and snapping heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists.
"Julian Vance," the lead officer declared, "you are under arrest for grand-scale corporate fraud and embezzlement. You have the right to remain silent."
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"Clara! Clara, please!" Julian screamed, tears finally spilling down his face as he was dragged across the polished marble floor past the very people who had cheered for him half an hour ago. "I'm sorry! I love you! Please don't do this to me! Give me another chance!"
Clara didn't look back. She picked up her glass of sparkling water, took a small sip, and turned her back on him forever.
