My Husband Claimed He Was On A Business Trip. I Found Him At The Hospital With My Pregnant Best Friend. Little Does He Know, I Just Cut Him Off From Every Penny He Ever Stole. What Should I Do Next?

The man showed him a photocopy taped to the booth. It was a copy of the prenuptial agreement.

“According to the legal document, this house is 100% the property of Mrs. Sarah, inherited from her parents. You have no rights.”

And this—the man pointed to two large suitcases on the sidewalk, covered in dust— “Are your personal effects, sir. Work clothes and underwear. The rest has been confiscated as evidence of embezzlement.”

Chapter 23: The Beggar and the Scuffle

Richard stared at the two suitcases with glazed eyes. Just that? Five years of luxury living, and he left with only two suitcases of used clothes?

“Honey, the neighbors are watching us,” Lauren whispered, embarrassed.

It was true. Several neighbors’ cars passing by slowed down. People saw Richard being held outside his own gate like a beggar. The whispers began, and an immense shame washed over Richard.

“Damn it!” Richard slammed the steering wheel.

He had no other choice; he could not face those two giant guards.

“We are going to the office now.”

Richard turned the wheel sharply, making a U-turn and leaving his palace behind, now closed to him forever.

Office building in Midtown Manhattan, 25th floor, headquarters of Hayes Global. Richard entered the lobby with a determined stride. He wore the same shirt from the previous day, wrinkled and smelling of sweat, but he tried to keep his chin up. Lauren followed him with her head down, afraid of being recognized by her former colleagues.

Richard headed for the automatic turnstiles, swiped his access card.

Beep. Access denied.

Richard tried again.

Beep.

“Mr. Miller?” a building security guard greeted him.

“My card is not working. Open the gate for me manually,” Richard ordered.

“I am sorry, Mr. Miller. Your access was revoked by Hayes Global Management this morning. You are not permitted to go up.”

“I am the chief operating officer! I want to see my wife! Get out of my way!”

Richard tried to force his way through, pushing the guard. A scuffle ensued. Other security guards came to restrain Richard. People in the lobby—employees, visitors, couriers—began to watch the free drama.

“Let me go! I want to go up!” Richard shouted, struggling.

Ding. The VIP elevator door opened. The atmosphere suddenly fell silent. A figure emerged from it: Sarah.

Chapter 24: Contempt in the Lobby

She looked stunning in an impeccable white pantsuit that enhanced her slender figure. Her hair was in an elegant bun, and her Christian Louboutin heels clicked firmly on the marble floor. Behind her were Hector and the company’s legal team. Sarah approached, stopping ten feet from Richard, who was being held by two guards. Sarah looked him up and down with obvious contempt.

“What do you want here, Richard, making a scene in my office?” Sarah’s voice was calm but echoed in the silent lobby.

“Sarah!” Richard broke free from the guards, adjusting his collar, trying to regain his dignity.

“Honey, we need to talk. Do not act like a child—blocking access, changing the locks at home. It is childish. Let us resolve this in my office, okay?”

Sarah laughed softly—a cold laugh.

“Your office? That office has already been cleaned out. The nameplate with your name was thrown in the trash this morning.”

“You cannot just fire me like this! I have shares here!”

“Shares I gave you for your birthday. Too bad the clause specified that the shares are voided if the recipient commits a crime that harms the company. And you—”

Sarah threw a brown folder at his chest. The folder fell, and its contents scattered across the floor: photos of the secret marriage, proof of transfers to Lauren’s account, evidence of overbilling on phony projects, photos of the black ledger from the Havenwood safe.

The observing employees began to whisper loudly; their eyes widened at the photos. Lauren, who was behind Richard, tried to cover her face with her hair.

“You embezzled $250,000 from the company over two years to finance this prostitute,” Sarah said, pointing at Lauren.

“That is a felony, Richard. My legal team already filed a report with the police an hour ago.”

Chapter 25: A Greedy Parasite

Richard’s face turned waxen; his legs trembled.

“Sarah, do not joke! Prison? We are husband and wife!”

“Ex-husband,” Sarah corrected sharply.

“The divorce petition has already been filed today, and since the evidence of infidelity and crimes is so overwhelming, I assure you you will leave this marriage without a cent.”

“No!” Richard took a step forward, trying to take Sarah’s hand.

“Sarah, please! I was wrong! It was Lauren who seduced me! I love you, Sarah, for God’s sake!”

“Richard!” Lauren screamed, not accepting the blame.

“You were the one who said Sarah was stupid and boring! Do not wash your hands of this!”

“Shut up!” Richard yelled at Lauren and then looked back at Sarah with pleading eyes.

“Sarah, give me a chance. I will leave Lauren. I will fix everything.”

Sarah sharply pulled her hand away.

“Too late. I once loved you because I thought you were a simple, sincere man. It turns out you are just a greedy parasite. Now get out of my sight before the police come to drag you away.”

Sarah turned around, signaling to Hector. Suddenly, a man in a leather jacket approached.

“Excuse me, Mr. Miller. I am from the finance company. The Cadillac Escalade out front is registered to Hayes Global. Mrs. Hayes has reported the misappropriation of the vehicle. Where are the keys?”

“It is my company car!”

“You are no longer an employee. The keys, or we call the police right now.”

Richard was petrified. His pride was being stripped away layer by layer in front of hundreds of eyes. With trembling hands, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the car keys. The man snatched them.

“Thank you.”