Chapter 1
As I entered through the grand doors of Benedict Holdings, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the morning air, my heels tapping rhythmically on the marble floors.
I felt good in moments like this.
Men dressed in expensive suits greeted me with sharp nods, some genuine, some forced. They hadn’t earned their respect easily like I had. In a world where power was money, I had climbed up through the ladder to prove I was every bit as sharp if not sharper than any of the men in this company.
That was even after I married Desmond Benedict, the CEQ of Benedict Holdings, but I still refused to give up my career title. And I was not going to do that. My job brought me joy and pride.
And his mother never forgave me for that.
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside, smoothing my silk blouse, Chief Financial Auditor. The title still pumped a burst of pride through me. I had earned it, and no one not an angel, not Desmond could take it from me.
As soon as I walked into my office my assistant, Jenna, was already there. She held a stack of reports in her arms.
“Morning, Mrs. Benedict,” she said, smiling politely. “The board meeting is at eleven, and Mr. Benedict asked that you look over the quarterly financials before that.”
I nodded and took the documents. “Thanks, Jenna.”
She hesitated, fidgeting on her heels. “Oh, and… Mrs. Benedict called. Again.”
I bit back a groan. “Let me guess. She left another message: How I’m a disgrace to the Benedict name?”
Jenna winced. “Something like that.”
With a sigh, I dismissed her and returned to sit at my desk, massaging my temples before checking my phone. Four missed calls from Miranda Benedict.
Before I could decide to ignore her, the phone vibrated again.
I answered. “Miranda.”
A scoff. “Oh, so you do remember how to pick up the phone.”
I tilted back and braced myself. “I’ve been busy.”
“Yes, too busy scurrying round your little office like some … career–obsessed secretary.” Her voice oozed with contempt. “Tell me, Fiona, when are you going to face the facts? A Benedict wife does not belong in boardrooms.”
I clenched my jaw. “I’m not just Desmond’s wife. I’m his company’s Chief Financial Auditor.”
“For now,”
That simple, punchy comment sent a nervous chill down my spine.
Miranda sighed dramatically. “I warned my son from the start that marrying a woman who wouldn’t act like a decent wife would be a disaster. But he wouldn’t listen.”
I placed my fingers on my temple. “If you called for a reason, I didn’t hear it, so are we just going through your usual
1/5
bed you. Be ampre ting comes with a high price.” And one day
Desde ya the parts at any
estoy they let fifferent it is more of promise than an insult.
Protist and metres working foong trough the quarterly inancials.
Tomar
metontury a fum gole memes projections, department expenses.
sher dryer.
intramartin wahertzet n my name
fite winter ti
damont the deurre on the thrument. My advening. My cnc agature
Poets Unething Wet this a dental minke
Fenton smparing the scrawls. They were so perfect. Not natural, not fund
SAMASK H Singet my name
& col coded so my gine
at my shine is call Deamond, Best Before I could dial, my office door opened.
Brand and the incorry towing his perfectly tailored suit as crisp and composed, his body as relaxed and casual
The moors. But something was wrong with it.
FS Seyme Tonking the financials
Then wann Chang in his expression, but something fickered in his gaze – just for a moment.
3:00 pm DD
Chapter 1
Then he smiled. That same practiced smile he used when he wanted to charm someone in meetings.
“Don’t linger too late,” he said. “We have a dinner with investors tonight.”
I studied him. “Desmond, is there a problem?”
His smile didn’t waver. “What could possibly be wrong?
Because you’ve been cold. Because you’ve been distant. Because my signature’s been forged on million dollar transactions.
I hesitated. “There are discrepancies in the reports regarding finances. Transactions in my name that I didn’t sign.”
He didn’t finch
Instead he laughed and shook his head. “You work too hard, Fiona Maybe you forgot”
I stiffened. Im not forgetful of millions of dollars.”
His gaze darkened. “Are you accusing me of something?”
I started to speak – and stopped.
I wanted to push. To demand answers. But there was something that screamed in my belly to stop.
“Forget it,” I said finally.
He smiled again. “Smart choice.”
And with that he turned on his heel and marched away.
That was the moment I knew.
Something had gone terribly, terribly wrong.
The Next Morning
I barely slept that night.
Those numbers kept floating in my head. I could not stop thinking about Desmond’s response, about Miranda’s thinly veiled threat.
Come morning. I had made a choice.
I needed to investigate. Before it was too late.
I got into Benedict Holdings bright and early, heart pounding as I crossed the threshold of the imposing façade.
And the minute I saw it, I knew something was wrong.
The morning buzz, the hum of chatter, the clicking of keyboards, was replaced by whispers.
Hushed voices. Uneasy glances.
As I walked down the hallway, employees gawked. Some quickly looked away. Others looked at her nervously.
3/5
3:01 pm
Chapter 1
DD
I swallowed hard.
Something was wrong.
Then I saw them.
Two security men next to the elevator.
Waiting.
My pulse pounded in my ears.
I looked around, as if for an explanation.
Jenna stood behind her desk, looking as pale as a ghost. She wouldn’t meet my eyes.
My breathing slowed.
I hardly had time to take in the sight of the security guards before heavy footsteps pounded behind me.
But then a strong voice cut through.
“Fiona Benedict! You are being arrested for financial fraud and embezzlement!”
The world tilted.
I turned to see three cops bursting into the lobby, cold, merciless looks on their faces.
“This has to be a mistake,” I said, my voice sounding muffled not my own. “I haven’t-”
Metal tightened around my wrists.
Handcuffs.
A gasp went through the office.
Someone screamed. The reporters, suddenly waiting for their cue, pounced.
Cameras flashed. Voices exploded around me.
“Mrs. Benedict, how much did you steal?”
“Was this something you did alone or was your husband involved?”
“Did you seriously launder well over twenty million from investors?
“Did you falsify the signatures?
The questions
–
they came way faster than I could think.
My heart pounded. My vision blurred.
This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening.
I struggled to break free, twisting my wrists. “Wait–just wait! There’s been a mistake! I didn’t—”
4/5
3:01 pm D
Chapter 1
“Save it for the court,” one of the officers barked at me, jerking me ahead.
I stumbled; my heels skidded on the polished floor.
Jenna was crying. The workers whom I had worked alongside for years just stood there, mute, watching.
No one moved to help me.
No one believed me.
I forced myself to breathe. To think.
I needed to see Desmond.
He would fix this. He had to.
I glanced around the lobby, breath hitching as my eyes caught on the grand staircase.
And there he was.
Desmond Benedict.
My husband.
The man who was supposed to be my protector, fighting for me.
He stood at the top of the stairs, in his custom Armani suit, hands folded in front of him as if this were just another boardroom meeting.
He wore an unreadable expression.
Our eyes met.
For an instant, my universe froze.
This was the moment.
The time he would take a step forward. Say something. Do something.
But then, he looked away.
Turned his back on me.
And walked away.
5/5
