For months, Serena had been perfume, receipts, hotel charges, and a red dress on a dance floor. Now she has become something better than a mistress.
She is evidence.
At 2:00 a.m., Vivian files the first emergency documents electronically.
At 2:22, my accountant freezes a joint business account Nathan had been using as a pass-through. At 2:40, the bank holding the mortgage papers receives a preservation notice. At 3:05, Robert Hayes replies with six words.
I knew this would happen. Call me.
Vivian calls him on speaker.
He answers before the first ring finishes.
“Is Caroline safe?”
His voice is stripped of gala polish. He sounds afraid. Not only for me. For himself. For the firm. For whatever Nathan has dragged them into.
“I’m safe,” I say.
Robert exhales.
“Thank God. Nathan is losing his mind. He’s telling everyone you had a breakdown and stole confidential files.”
Vivian raises one eyebrow.
There it is.
The first counterattack.
“What files?” she asks.
Robert hesitates. “You are?”
“Vivian Cole, counsel for Caroline Whitmore.”
Silence.
Then Robert says, “I want it clear that I never authorized anything related to Silver Coast outside normal review.”
Vivian’s face hardens with professional interest.