The rain pounded down on Alex Chen's shoulders as he remained still outside …Le Bernardin, the most prestigious French restaurant in Manhattan. Water trickled from his dark hair, collecting at his feet while he held tightly onto a small bakery box with Emma's beloved chocolate truffle cake inside. Golden light poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the sidewalk, casting light on the scene that left his blood running cold.There she was…his spouse of three years…bending over a candlelit table, her perfectly groomed fingers gliding down another man’s chest. Her laugh, which once made his heart race, now struck his ears like pieces of shattered glass. The unfamiliar man embodied everything Alex seemed not to: impeccably styled, dressed in attire that likely exceeded Alex's monthly earnings, and gazing at Emma with the insatiable desire of a predator who had already captured his target.Alex's hold became firmer on the damp cake box. Today marked their third wedding anniversar

The morning sun cut through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Alex's childhood bedroom, waking him in a space he hadn't occupied in three years. For a moment, disoriented, he thought he was back in the cramped apartment with Emma. Then he saw the custom-made furniture, the original artwork on the walls, and the view of the estate's gardens stretching toward the horizon, and reality settled over him like a well-tailored coat.His old life had ended last night. Today, his real life began.A soft knock at the door preceded the entrance of Robert, his father's personal attendant. "Good morning, Mr. Chen. Your father requests your presence for breakfast in thirty minutes. I've prepared your wardrobe selections in the dressing room."Alex nodded, the formal routine coming back to him instantly. "Thank you, Robert."The dressing room was a stark contrast to the small closet he'd shared with Emma. An entire wall displayed suits—Tom Ford, Brioni, Ermenegildo Zegna—all perfectly tailored to his m

Two weeks after the press conference, Alex Chen stood in his corner office reviewing the Hudson Yards proposal for the fifteenth time. Every number was perfect, every projection conservative yet impressive, every detail designed to make Chen Industries the obvious choice. His father didn't believe in leaving anything to chance."The city council votes tomorrow," Jennifer said, entering with her ever-present tablet. "We have eight confirmed votes, need nine for approval. Councilman Morrison is still undecided.""What does Morrison want?""Assurance that we'll hire locally, prioritize minority-owned contractors, and include affordable housing units." Jennifer pulled up Morrison's file. "He's genuinely concerned about gentrification, not just posturing for votes.""Then we give him what he wants." Alex made notes on his copy of the proposal. "Increase affordable housing from 15% to 20%, add a jobs training program for local residents, and guarantee 30% of contracts to minority-owned busi

Three days after the gala, Alex's world exploded.He was in a morning meeting when Jennifer burst through the door—something she'd never done in six weeks of working together. Her face was pale, her usual composure shattered."Turn on the news. Now."Alex grabbed the remote, switching on the wall-mounted screen. Every major network showed the same image: Chen Industries headquarters surrounded by federal agents, police vehicles blocking the streets, employees being escorted out in handcuffs."...breaking news as the FBI raids Chen Industries in what sources are calling the largest corporate fraud investigation in decades. Richard Chen, CEO and founder, has been arrested along with seven senior executives on charges of money laundering, tax evasion, and racketeering—"The room spun. Alex gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles white."That's impossible," he breathed. "My father would never—""There's more." Jennifer's voice cracked. "They're saying you're under investigation too. A

Jennifer arrived at Alex's penthouse within thirty minutes, carrying three hard drives and a laptop that looked like it had survived a war."This is everything," she said, spreading files across his dining table. "Every piece of leverage, every secret, every skeleton your father collected in twenty years. I kept backups when I resigned because I knew something like this might happen."Alex scanned through the files—affairs, embezzlement, fraud, blackmail material on hundreds of people connected to Chen Industries. His father had been more ruthless than he'd imagined."How did he collect all this?""Your father didn't trust anyone. Every executive, every board member, every business partner—he investigated them all. Not to use against them, but as insurance." Jennifer pulled up a specific file. "These six names keep appearing in connection with offshore accounts and shell corporations. They've been siphoning money from Chen Industries for years."Sophia leaned over Alex's shoulder, stu