Chapter 6
Gary said, "Then he looked at me, totally stunned, and asked, 'How dare Camille do that?'"
Gary burst out laughing.
He said, "I told him, 'Mr. Massy, my client pulled it off flawlessly.'
"By the way, I mentioned one more thing to him.
"Last month, that house sold for 3 million dollars.
"Alban let out a furious roar on the other end of the line.
"Then the line went dead.
"I bet he's smashing up the hotel room right now."
I smiled.
"Really appreciate it, Gary," I said.
"Just doing my job," he replied.
Gary added, "Oh, and one more thing. Right before he hung up, he yelled something.
"He's demanding to see me tomorrow, at my office.
"He wants to look over the agreement in person.
"And he wants to discuss the kid's custody."
My smile faded, replaced by a chill.
I said, "Fine.
"Let him come."
Alban was finally testing my last boundary.
The next day, Alban didn't show up at my office.
He didn't call, either.
I knew he was gathering his strength, getting ready to deal me a fatal blow.
He was going after Lara.
He blamed all his failures on my "betrayal."
And in his eyes, Lara was the ultimate evidence of my betrayal.
He was going to see Gary, and he was going to fight for custody.
He wanted to prove that I was the one at fault, not him.
He wanted to tear down everything I have now, just like he believes I wrecked his big comeback.
That afternoon, I got an unexpected call.
It was my college bestie, Hazel Rhodes.
She was an exec at a top headhunting firm.
"Camille, did you piss someone off lately?" Hazel asked.
Her voice was very serious.
My heart skipped a beat.
"What's up?" I asked.
Hazel said, "This afternoon, our company got an anonymous email.
"It accuses the founder of Norizon Design, which is you, of having a chaotic love life, cheating on your husband while married, and even having a secret daughter.
"The email also claims you used underhanded tricks to take your ex-husband's money.
"It sounds totally convincing, with a photo of you holding Lara and background info on your ex-husband, Alban.
"It says he's a hotshot PhD from abroad, a well-known academic, and that you ruined his family and left him homeless."
My hand clenched into a fist.
Alban was even more pathetic than I ever imagined.
He was too cowardly to confront me, so he stooped to these cheap shots, trying to destroy my career.
Hazel continued, "This email wasn't just sent to us.
"I checked with some friends in the business, turns out, several potential partners who were considering working with your company got the email too.
"Camille, this could turn into a huge mess, or maybe nothing at all.
"Right now, no one believes it, but rumors can drown a person.
"Your ex is really out to ruin your reputation."
I replied, "Got it."
I kept my voice steady. "Thanks for the heads-up, Hazel."
Hazel said, worry clear in her voice, "Hey, you don't have to thank me. So, what are you going to do?"
I said, "Don't worry. He can't stir up much trouble.
"He's just a crazy dog that only dares to bite from the shadows."
After hanging up, I sat in my office, silent for a long time.
I really underestimated just how shameless Alban could be.
I never realized how much spite he could unleash when his pride got trampled.
He thought this was enough to make me back down.
He believed that some gossip would make me roll over and hand him the house and Lara.
He had no idea who he was dealing with.
Five years ago, even when I was pregnant and at my weakest, I made sure I had a way out for myself.
Now, after everything, there was no way I'd let these cheap tricks get to me.
I pulled out my phone and dialed another number.
"Hey, Leonard," I said.
A cheerful male voice answered.
"Ms. Fairbank, what brings you to call me?" Leonard Barnes said.
Leonard used to head security for one of my previous projects. He was ex-military, now ran his own investigation firm. He was someone I could really trust.
"I've got a personal matter I need your help with," I said.
"Just say the word," Leonard replied.
"Dig up everything you can on Alban Massy," I said.
I gave him Alban's info.
I said, "I want to know exactly what he's been doing overseas these past five years.
"Focus on his academic record, and that PhD student of his, Irene Tucker.
"I want everything, down to the smallest detail.
"Especially the dirty secrets he'd never want to see the light of day."
Leonard chuckled on the other end.
He said, "Got it, Ms. Fairbank.
"So, you're about to hit back hard, huh?"
I gazed out the window at the endless stream of cars and people below.
I said, "No.
"This isn't retaliation.
"This is a total slaughter, one-sided and merciless."
Meanwhile, in a suite at a five-star hotel downtown, Alban was pacing restlessly, nerves frayed.
Broken shards of glass littered the floor.
Irene sat on the couch, looking pale as a ghost.
"Alban, are you really going to send that email?" Irene asked, her voice shaky.