Chapter 3 - THE EMPTY PENTHOUSE
The sprawling downtown penthouse was completely dark when I finally unlocked the front door.
It felt completely different without Marcus’s suffocating presence filling the rooms.
I walked straight into the master bedroom and stripped off the ruined, stained blouse.
I threw it directly into the trash can, symbolizing the end of my miserable marriage.
I pulled two large vintage suitcases from the top shelf of the walk-in closet.
I packed only the things I had purchased with my own money before the marriage.
I left behind the expensive diamond necklaces and the designer handbags Marcus had bought to buy my silence.
I wanted absolutely nothing that was tainted by his stolen corporate funds.
Suddenly, I heard the heavy front door click open and slam shut.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
I stepped out of the closet and walked cautiously into the grand living room.
Marcus’s lead defense attorney, a ruthless shark named Richard Vance, was standing by the marble kitchen island.
"You have a lot of nerve coming here in the middle of the night, Richard," I said coldly.
Richard did not smile, his eyes scanning the room like a predator.
"Marcus just posted a three-million-dollar bail."
"He is currently staying at a secure hotel, but he sent me to deliver a message."
He reached into his tailored suit jacket and pulled out a thick legal envelope.
"He is willing to offer you a very generous divorce settlement."
"You will receive five million dollars, tax-free, and you keep the lake cabin."
"In exchange, you will completely retract your statements to the FBI and claim you falsified the documents out of marital spite."
I stared at the envelope as if it were a venomous snake.
"He wants me to commit federal perjury to save his skin."
"If you refuse, we will drag your name through the absolute mud in open court," Richard threatened softly.
May you like
I walked over to the kitchen island, picked up the envelope, and tore it straight down the middle.
"Tell Marcus I will see him in federal court."
