Chapter 7 - Vanessa’s Last Betrayal
Vanessa recovered faster than Mark.
“This was all his decision,” she said immediately. “I was an employee following instructions.”
Mark turned toward her.
“What?”
“I never had financial authority.”
“You registered the company.”
“Because you told me to.”
“You signed the transfers.”
“After you approved them.”
The investigators listened without interruption.
Vanessa removed her engagement ring and placed it on the windowsill.
“I don’t want anything connected to this.”
Mark stared at the ring.
An hour earlier, it had represented the life he believed he had won.
Now it was evidence.
“You said we were building a future,” he told her.
Vanessa picked up her handbag.
“I said many things.”
Major Brooks stepped between Vanessa and the door.
“You cannot leave until the investigators complete the initial interview.”
Vanessa’s expression tightened.
“I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Reed opened another folder.
“We have messages showing that you contacted an unapproved foreign investor and offered early access to protected designs.”
Vanessa’s confidence finally disappeared.
Mark sank into a chair.
“You told me they were private venture partners.”
“They were willing to pay.”
“For what?”
“For the technology you kept bragging was worth a fortune.”
Mark placed both hands over his face.
Anna watched without satisfaction.
She had imagined this moment many times during the investigation. She thought she would feel victorious when Mark finally understood what Vanessa had done.
Instead, she felt only tired.
The man she married had destroyed his company, his reputation and his family because he needed constant admiration.
Vanessa had not created that weakness.
She had simply recognized it.
Mark lowered his hands.
“Anna, I can fix this.”
“No.”
“I’ll cooperate. I’ll return everything.”
“The funds are frozen.”
“I’ll give you the company.”
“You no longer control it.”
His voice cracked.
“What do you want from me?”
Anna looked at the sleeping child in her arms.
“I wanted honesty. Loyalty. A husband who cared enough to meet his daughter before announcing his engagement.”
May you like
She turned toward him.
“But I no longer want anything from you except your cooperation with the divorce and your responsibility as Hope’s father.”
