Chapter 3

"A thirty-million-dollar shortfall. How do you plan to cover it?"

I slammed the financial report onto Ethan's desk.

Papers scattered, falling to the floor.

Ethan didn't even look up.

He was focused on peeling an orange for Chelsea, who sat on the sofa.

"The company's cash flow was tight, so I temporarily diverted some money from the foundation in your name."

He placed the peeled orange on Chelsea's plate, then pulled a tissue to wipe his hands.

His tone was as flat as if discussing the weather.

"That's the life-saving money for my mother's heart surgery next month."

I stared into his eyes, my voice like ice.

That foundation was established before our marriage, specifically to deal with my mother's potentially worsening condition at any time.

Only Ethan and I knew the password.

Ethan finally looked up.

He irritably tugged at his tie.

"Ava Sterling, can you stop always making such a fuss?"

"Your mother's surgery isn't until next month, is it? As soon as this batch of payments comes in, I'll put the money back immediately."

Chelsea, eating her orange, mumbled an interruption.

"That's right, Ava. Ethan's doing this for the company's good too."

"I worked so hard to get that project through my connections. If the funding stops, all the initial investment will be wasted."

She pulled a wet wipe to clean her mouth, then walked up to me.

"Ava, you're also part of the company. You can't just stand by and watch Ethan's hard work be ruined, can you?"

"Besides, your mother's illness isn't new. A few days' delay won't kill her."

I looked at Chelsea's self-important face.

I raised my hand and slapped her hard.

A crisp smack echoed clearly in the office.

Chelsea stumbled, clutching her face, looking at me in disbelief.

"You hit me?"

Ethan abruptly stood up and pushed me away.

"Ava Sterling, are you crazy!"

He tenderly cupped Chelsea's face, checking her for injuries.

"Chelsea, are you okay?"

Turning his head, he glared at me, his eyes bloodshot with fury.

"How dare you hit her? Diverting the funds was my idea, what does it have to do with her?"

I was pushed, hitting the edge of the office desk, a sharp pain shot through my waist.

But I straightened up, coldly looking at the despicable pair.

"How dare I?"

I sneered.

"Because she used my mother's life-saving money to fill the hole in her shell company."

"Ethan, do you really think I don't know what her so-called 'big project' is?"

I pulled a document from my bag and threw it directly at Ethan's face.

"A shell company with only ten thousand dollars in registered capital, and you poured thirty million into it."

"The money went in, but it vanished without a trace."

"Are you running a business, or a charity?"

Ethan's face changed.

He glanced down at the documents on the floor, his eyes showing a hint of panic.

But he quickly recomposed himself.

"You don't understand business. This is called early-stage investment."

"Chelsea has wide connections; this money will double quickly."

I looked at his stubborn refusal to admit his mistake, losing even the energy to be angry.

"Fine, I don't understand."

I nodded.

"But do you understand that misappropriating funds for a specific purpose is considered embezzlement?"

"If I call the police, how many years do you think you'd spend behind bars?"

Ethan froze.

He hadn't seemed to expect me to say such a thing.

"Ava Sterling, are you threatening me?"

He gritted his teeth, glaring at me.

"For thirty million, you're going to send your husband to jail?"

Chelsea, hiding behind Ethan, added fuel to the fire.

"Ethan, I told you Ava doesn't love you at all; she only cares about money."

"Look at how aggressive she is now, not an ounce of a good wife in her."

I looked at Chelsea.

"Shut up."

I pulled out my phone and activated the recording function.

"Ava Sterling, your mother's surgery can be delayed by half a month, she won't die."

Ethan pointed a finger at my nose, completely dropping his pretense.

"But if Chelsea's project fails, she'll be ruined."

"I used this money. What can you do about it?"

I pressed save.

Putting my phone back in my bag.

"Ethan Wright, remember what you said today."

I turned and walked towards the door.

"I hope you won't be begging me on your knees later."