Chapter 3

I stepped into Sterling Capital's sleek conference room, smoothing down my charcoal pencil skirt. My first week at the firm had been a whirlwind of introductions and strategy sessions. Now it was time to see if Christopher had realized what he'd lost—both personally and professionally.

"Ms. Chen, this just came in," Jessica said, handing me her tablet as she entered the room. "Thought you'd want to see it right away."

I scanned the financial news headline: "BLAKE TECHNOLOGIES DINNER DISASTER: VANCE HOSPITALIZED, FUNDING PULLED."

A small, cold smile formed on my lips as I read further. Christopher had hosted Arthur Vance—the notoriously difficult but incredibly wealthy investor whose allergies I had meticulously documented in a file Christopher had apparently never bothered to read. The article detailed how paramedics had rushed to Blake Technologies' executive dining room after Vance suffered a severe allergic reaction to the walnut oil in the salad dressing.

"He served Arthur Vance a walnut vinaigrette," I murmured, almost in disbelief. "I left a three-page document on Vance's dietary restrictions in the investor relations folder."

"Apparently no one bothered to read it," Jessica replied, not bothering to hide her satisfaction.

"No," I said, handing the tablet back. "No one except me ever did."

The Vance disaster was just the beginning. Without me managing the details, Christopher's carefully constructed facade was already showing cracks. He'd built his reputation on my foundation—my research, my relationship management, my attention to detail—and now that foundation was gone.

---

"Natalie, darling, you look absolutely radiant," Myra Kline said, air-kissing both my cheeks before settling into her chair at Le Bernardin. "Freedom suits you."

Myra had been Christopher's first major investor, the one who'd legitimized Blake Technologies when we were still working out of our cramped apartment. She was also, as I well knew, a woman who valued loyalty and personal connections far more than flashy projections.

"Thank you for meeting me, Myra," I said, signaling the waiter for two glasses of the Sancerre I knew she preferred. "I wanted to tell you about my move to Sterling personally."

"I was surprised," she admitted, her shrewd eyes studying me. "Christopher always made it sound like you two were inseparable. Then suddenly there's a press release about your resignation, followed by photos of him marrying that Sterling girl at the Plaza."

I met her gaze steadily. "Christopher and I were married three weeks before his wedding to Victoria. At the courthouse, with no celebration. He told me marriage was an outdated institution he didn't believe in."

Myra's perfectly penciled eyebrows shot up. "That little snake," she whispered, genuine outrage coloring her voice. "After everything you did for him?"

"Ten years of my life," I confirmed, keeping my voice even. "But I'm not here to discuss my personal disappointments. I'm here because Sterling Capital is preparing a new tech investment fund, and I'd like you to consider being our anchor investor."

I slid a folder across the table. Inside was a term sheet offering better returns than what Blake Technologies had ever provided her, along with a handwritten note from Marcus Sterling guaranteeing her priority access to all future opportunities.

"The difference," I said as she reviewed the documents, "is that at Sterling, we value our partners. Their contributions are recognized, their concerns are heard, and their success is our priority."

Myra looked up from the papers, a slow smile spreading across her face. "You know, I always thought you were the real brains behind Blake Technologies." She pulled out a pen from her Hermès bag. "Where do I sign?"

By dessert, I had secured not only Myra's investment but her word that she would be withdrawing all funding from Blake Technologies by the end of the quarter.

---

"You want me to what?" Daniel Cho asked, his espresso cup frozen halfway to his lips. We sat in a quiet corner of a coffee shop three blocks from Blake Technologies' headquarters.

"I want you to come work for Sterling Capital," I repeated calmly. "As our Chief Technology Officer. With full equity and your name on every patent that comes out of your department."

Daniel had been Christopher's lead engineer for five years, the architect behind their most successful products. He was also chronically undervalued, his contributions minimized in press releases while Christopher took center stage.

"Christopher would never let me go," Daniel said, though I could see the temptation in his eyes.

"Christopher doesn't have a choice," I replied. "Your contract has a non-compete clause that he can enforce, yes. But it also has a moral turpitude escape clause that I made sure was included when we last revised it."

Daniel's eyes widened. "The bigamy..."

I nodded. "Makes all your employment restrictions null and void. You're free to leave, and there's nothing he can do about it."

He sat back, a slow smile spreading across his face. "When can I start?"

As we finalized the details, my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. I glanced down and felt a chill run through me.

*I know what you're doing, Natalie. Did you really think I wouldn't notice? This is just the beginning.*

Attached was a photo of white orchids—Christopher's signature non-apology gesture—being delivered to Sterling Capital's front desk.

The game was on.