Chapter 3

### Chapter 3

When we married, I wanted that jade necklace. Julian told me to wait.

Once the Farleys were back on their feet, he said, he'd give it to me openly, and no one would dare gossip.

So I waited. Five whole years. I waited until he fastened it around Anna Henson's neck with his own hands.

The guests crowded around Anna's slender figure, praising how capable and gracious she was, saying she and Mr. Farley were a match made in heaven.

She leaned into Julian, laughing without a care, their fingers laced tight, as if the two of them wanted to melt into each other's blood and bone.

Watching it, all I felt was disgust.

The two of them. So they'd been at it a long time already.

I'd grown up abroad with my mother, always longing for free love, a happy marriage.

Turns out my judgment of people was garbage.

But Julian, you'll soon learn what it costs to betray me.

The moment I walked out of the ballroom, I called my grandfather.

"Grandpa, I'm willing to marry Orson Craig."

His voice couldn't hold back its delight. "Wonderful! That Craig boy has been waiting for you all along! But what about Julian—"

"Already divorced."

"Good! My sweet girl, I'll officiate the wedding myself!"

I hung up and dialed the second number.

The little company I'd founded years ago to help Julian was now worth billions.

He had no idea I was the boss behind it all.

"Mr. Hughes, pull all my capital out of the Farleys. Every cent."

"Yes, Ms. Pruitt. Right away!"

The last call went to the Pruitts.

The instant it connected, I let my voice break with tears. "Dad, Julian betrayed me—"

I was only halfway through when my father's tone went cold.

"I understand, sweetheart. It's getting cold out. Time for the Farleys to go bankrupt."

I hung up and the corner of my mouth curved.

Julian, Anna, savor the last of your celebration.

Back at the home that was no longer mine, I packed my things and left.

I'd barely reached the bottom of the stairs when the head housekeeper, Josephine Chavez, blocked my way.

"Miss Pruitt, stop right there!"

She planted her heavy body in front of me, chin lifted high. "Farley rules. Luggage gets searched before you leave. Wouldn't want anyone slipping out with things they've got no business taking."

Back when I was Mrs. Farley, back when I'd closed one huge deal after another, she'd bowed and scraped to me every day, ready to fetch my shoes.

Turn around, and she flipped faster than a page.

I stared at her and couldn't help the cold laugh. "You? You want to go through my suitcase? Who do you think you are?"

Josephine stretched her voice out, crowing like a rooster.

"I'm Mr. Farley's head housekeeper. There's no one above me but Miss Henson. After all the shameless things you've done, Mr. Farley not beating you to death is already mercy. Now open the case. Nicely."

Every extra word to her was a favor she didn't deserve.

"Riding on someone else's power. Get lost."

Josephine's face went dark, and she lunged for my suitcase.

"Don't you dare!" I snapped.

"Why wouldn't I dare?" Anna had appeared behind her at some point, tilting her chin. "Take it. She's got a guilty conscience written all over her. Let's see what dirty little secret she's hiding!"

Josephine was big and burly, and she slammed her hip into me and knocked me to the floor.

They wrenched the suitcase away, and Anna turned and handed it straight to Julian behind her.

Julian fiddled with the combination lock for ages and couldn't get it open. Losing his patience, he loomed over me and barked, "The code!"

"The day of our first date."

Julian's fingers went still.

He frowned, thinking for a long time, his mind a blank.

I looked at that lost expression on his face and only found it laughable.

Laughing at myself, for going on thinking he was still the man he'd been at the start.

Finally, humiliation curdled into rage. Julian stood and kicked the suitcase. "Smash it! Break it open if you have to! There's got to be proof in there of her and her men!"

The suitcase was one my mother had left me. I'd always treasured it.

I threw myself over it and held on for dear life, and the sight only made Anna more eager, her hand darting out to grab it.

"Stop it, I've done nothing! This is a violation of privacy!"

I shoved her off, and Anna staggered into the wall, clutching her belly and shrieking.

"Anna!"

Julian's eyes went red in an instant, and he backhanded me across the face.

The blow knocked me to the floor, half my face burning like fire.

"Lorraine Pruitt, drop the act. If you weren't desperate for those men, how would you land billion-dollar deals?"

The revulsion in his eyes nearly spilled over.

"Don't go telling me you did any of it for me."

"Whore."