Chapter 2 - The Queen’s Gambit
Two thousand miles away, Claire Vale stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of her new Washington, D.C. penthouse.
She held a glass of expensive red wine, watching the city lights glitter against the Potomac River.
Her four-year-old son, Noah, was fast asleep in the next room, guarded by top-tier private security.
The door to the study opened softly.
Ethan Cole, Adrian’s former executive assistant, walked in carrying a stack of files.
"The jet landed safely, Mrs. Vale," Ethan said, his voice respectful.
Claire did not turn around immediately.
"And my soon-to-be ex-husband?" she asked.
"He found the drawer, just as you planned," Ethan replied, placing the files on the glass table.
Claire finally turned, a cold, satisfied smile playing on her lips.
For years, she had played the role of the docile housewife.
She had endured Adrian’s arrogance, his neglect, and his endless string of lies.
But she had never been powerless.
She was a Whitmore, the daughter of a ruthless tech visionary.
She had simply been waiting for the clock to strike midnight on her thirty-second birthday.
"He thinks the worst is over," Claire murmured, taking a slow sip of her wine.
"He has no idea what tomorrow’s board meeting will bring," Ethan agreed.
Claire walked over to the table and traced her finger over the Vale Industries logo.
"My mother built the algorithms that made that company profitable," she said softly.
"Adrian’s father stole her patents when she was dying."
Ethan nodded, knowing the dark history of the Vale family’s wealth.
"Adrian thought he owned me because he paid my credit card bills," Claire laughed bitterly.
"Tomorrow, I am going to erase his name from the corporate world."
May you like
She looked at Ethan, her eyes sharp and merciless.
"Prepare the proxy votes."
