“If you pretend you don't know anything, you can keep being my wife.” Ethan said it in the dark, with a chilling calm that froze me far more than any confession ever could.

The Grand Ballroom at the St. Regis Hotel was a spectacle of polished crystal chandeliers, champagne fountains, and Manhattan's corporate elite.

Ethan had organized the evening as a victory celebration for his successful three-year expansion of Vance Global. He stood near the head table in a bespoke charcoal tuxedo, holding a glass of vintage champagne, surrounded by the senior board members—including my uncle, Arthur Vance, who served as the chairman.

Beside Ethan stood Chloe. She was wearing an eye-wateringly expensive backless red gown—a dress I knew Ethan had purchased using our joint credit card two weeks ago. She was playing the role of the devoted executive assistant, but the way her hand lingered on Ethan's arm left zero doubt about the true nature of their relationship.

I stepped through the heavy double doors of the ballroom, wearing a fitted, floor-length emerald silk dress. I had my hair pulled back into an elegant knot, my diamond necklace sparkling under the chandeliers. I looked every bit the powerful, unbothered heiress I was born to be.

Conversations dipped as I walked across the marble floor.

Ethan’s eyes widened in visible shock when he saw me. He quickly stepped away from Chloe, his face flushing with a mix of surprise and sudden panic.

"Mabel?" Ethan muttered as I reached his side. "What are you doing here? You said you weren't coming."

"And miss my husband's grand celebration?" I asked sweetly, my voice carrying clearly to the board members standing nearby. "I wouldn't dream of it."

My uncle Arthur stepped forward, pulling me into a warm embrace. "Mabel, my dear! It's so wonderful to see you! Ethan was just telling us how supportive you’ve been during his long stretches away in Chicago."

"Was he?" I asked, looking sideways at Ethan, whose forehead was already breaking out in a light sheen of sweat. "Ethan is always so generous with his stories."

Chloe stepped forward, her eyes flashing with territorial anger. She couldn't stand seeing me command the respect of the room so effortlessly.

"Mrs. Vance," Chloe said in her sugary, fake voice. "We're so glad you could join us. I was just reminding Ethan that he needs to give his keynote speech in ten minutes."

"Thank you, Chloe," I said, barely giving her a glance. "You’ve been so attentive to my husband's needs over the past three years. Truly... above and beyond the call of a standard assistant."

A few board members traded subtle, knowing glances. The tension in the circle spiked immediately.

Ethan grabbed my elbow firmly, pulling me a few steps away from the crowd toward a private alcove.

"What the hell are you playing at, Mabel?" Ethan hissed under his breath, his grip tightening on my arm. "You're trying to humiliate me in front of the board!"

I looked down at his hand on my arm until he slowly, reluctantly released me.

"I haven't even started, Ethan," I whispered smoothly.

Before he could respond, the master of ceremonies took the stage, testing the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Vice President of Regional Expansion... Mr. Ethan Vance!"

The room burst into applause. Ethan gave me a sharp, warning glare before straightening his bow tie, putting on his polished corporate smile, and stepping up to the podium.

Chloe stood near the front row, beaming with pride, filming him on her phone like a proud trophy wife in training.

Ethan began his speech, boasting about his strategic vision, the record-breaking profits of the Chicago branch, and his unyielding loyalty to Vance Global.

"Success," Ethan proclaimed into the microphone, his voice echoing grandly through the ballroom, "is built on integrity, transparency, and absolute dedication to the core values of this company."

Right on cue, my phone vibrated in my clutch purse.

It was a text message from Alexander: The judge just signed the emergency order. All personal and shell accounts are officially frozen. Checkmate.