Chapter 2

It’s Russell Kane.

Three years ago, I signed off on his promotion from department manager to VP of this branch.

But he doesn’t recognize me.

Instead, he shoots me a look of pure disgust.

"I pulled the security footage. You stole those files from Mr. Pierce’s office. No question about it."

"He’s your own father, for God’s sake. I never thought you and your mom would stoop this low for money."

I give him a cold smile. Keeping my phone low, I start a voice recording and slip it into my pocket.

"Mr. Kane, does Graham know you’re doing this?"

For a split second, my calm seems to throw him.

He looks me up and down. Then he glances at Celeste, who’s standing there with her hands on her hips.

Finally, he nods, his face dark.

"Yes. This is exactly what Mr. Pierce wants."

"Someone like you should know her place around Ms. Monroe. She’s the woman your father is actually going to marry."

He slams a tablet and a thick stack of papers down in front of me.

One look, and my breath catches.

The video is crystal clear. Someone is sneaking into the CEO’s office.

And that someone has Wren’s face.

To everyone in this room, that means it’s me.

Celeste smirks. She taps the top page with one long, manicured nail. It says CONFESSION in big bold letters.

"Sign it. Swear you’ll never set foot in this building again, and pay ten million dollars for the leak. Then maybe I won’t call the cops."

"Otherwise, I’ll make sure you rot in prison."

I don’t flinch. I stare straight into her eyes.

"No."

"Ma’am, I’m curious. You know Graham already has a family. Why would you still want to marry him?"

Celeste laughs like I just told a joke.

She rolls her eyes.

"What family? Your mom’s nothing but his mistress! I’m the real deal. I’m the one he’s marrying."

"Graham told me everything. Your mom drugged him. That’s how she got pregnant with you. Disgusting."

"He’s about to take over the whole company. Of course he needs a real partner by his side. A wife like me!"

Take over the company?

I actually laugh out loud.

None of it fazes me.

Russell scowls and switches tactics.

"Miss Pierce, your father never once held where you came from against you. Private schools, designer clothes, vacations in Europe. And you sell him out for money?"

"You and your mom have been bleeding him dry for years. Call her, come up with the money, and then disappear from this company for good."

I shrug.

"I don’t have any money."

"And disappear? Tell Graham to come say that to my face."

Celeste’s eyes sweep over me, from my backpack down to my shoes.

Her face twists with envy. Her jaw is clenched so tight I can practically hear her teeth grinding.

"No money? Liar!"

"Dior backpack, Chanel flats... and that dress is custom Italian, isn’t it?"

She charges at me and grabs my dress like she’s about to rip it right off me.

"You little thief! How much did you steal from your dad? That money belongs to me and my son!"

"Pay up, or you’re coming to the police station with me!"

I twist free. She raises her hand high to slap me.

I step back, and she hits nothing but air.

Her face goes purple. Hair hanging in her eyes, she screams like a madwoman.

"You little bitch! When Mr. Pierce hears how you treated me, he’ll destroy you!"

"Security! Get over here and grab this thief!"

"She won’t admit a thing till she’s caught red-handed! Grab her bag! I’ll show everyone exactly how this little thief is wrecking our company!"

Before she even finishes, a dozen security guards in company uniforms surround me.

Every one of them is gripping a baton and glaring at me.

But nobody wants to make the first move.

Celeste mutters, "Useless," and snatches a baton from the nearest guard. She jams it into my chest and shoves.

There’s nowhere to go. My back slams into the wall so hard I see black.

Before I can recover, she knocks the backpack right out of my hands.

Something falls out and hits the floor with a heavy thud.

Every eye in the room lands on it.

The whole room gasps.