“You invaded my privacy.”
“Our shared server,” I replied. “The one you configured yourself.”
Vanessa backed toward the wall.
Richard’s expression turned icy.
“You deliberately concealed a significant legal liability during a billion-dollar acquisition?”
Daniel shook his head.
“I was following strategy.”
“You created the strategy.”
“I was protecting the company.”
Richard slammed his hand against the table.
“No. You were protecting yourself.”
Within twenty minutes, the gala had transformed into a corporate crisis.
Halston Meridian’s general counsel arrived.
Then the chief compliance officer.
Daniel and Vanessa had their building access suspended immediately.
Their company phones were collected.
The acquisition was placed on hold pending further review and disclosure.
Daniel kept trying to speak to me.
“Claire, think about our marriage.”
I looked at him.
“You hid your marriage behind a curtain twenty minutes ago.”
His voice became softer.
“I made one mistake.”
