Chapter 7 - THE BETRAYAL INSIDE LANGLEY HOLDINGS
Edward's own company turned against him two days later.
His board froze his accounts.
His security credentials were revoked.
News outlets announced that Edward Langley had been accused of financial misconduct.
Lily watched the headlines.
“He's framing you.”
Edward nodded.
“He's taking the company.”
“Can he?”
“If I don't fight back.”
They returned secretly to New York.
Maya joined them.
She had spent weeks investigating the forged divorce documents.
Now she discovered something enormous.
The signatures were generated using a digital system.
A system owned by Mercer Systems.
Maya looked at Lily.
“Cole didn't forge your divorce.”
“I know.”
“Then someone used his infrastructure.”
“Marcus.”
Maya shook her head.
“Not Marcus.”
She turned the laptop around.
“The person who authorized the system was Cole's father.”
Lily stared.
“He's alive.”
“Yes.”
They tracked his location.
A private clinic in Connecticut.
Cole was there too.
Lily walked into the room.
Cole looked older.
Exhausted.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Cole looked at her stomach.
“How are they?”
“Healthy.”
His eyes filled.
“I've missed everything.”
“Yes.”
“I know.”
Lily didn't forgive him.
But she sat down.
Cole explained the entire plan.
He had deliberately destroyed his public image to make Marcus believe Lily was no longer important.
The divorce was supposed to move her away from the company.
Sloan had helped him.
But Marcus discovered the truth.
He knew Lily still possessed the patent.
Cole's father had orchestrated everything.
He wanted the patent because Orion could manipulate global markets.
Cole looked at Lily.
“I should have told you.”
“Yes.”
“I was afraid.”
“So was I.”
Silence.
Then Cole said:
“I need your help.”
Lily shook her head.
“No.”
His face fell.
“I'll help stop him,” she continued. “But not because we're married.”
“We aren't.”
“Not because I owe you.”
“I know.”
“I'm doing it because my children deserve a future.”
Cole nodded.
“And because I want you to have one.”
May you like
Lily stood.
“Then help me.”
