Chapter 2 - The Paper Trail of Malice
The police arrived, sirens wailing, shattering the silence of the suburban night. As officers led Allison away, she screamed—not in regret, but in outrage, calling him a traitor. Ryder didn't flinch.
While the authorities processed the crime scene, Ryder spent the night in his home office, flanked by his lawyers. The abuse was bad enough, but the deeper they dug, the uglier it got.
“Mr. Vance,” his accountant said, tapping a finger against the monitor. “Your wife didn’t just abuse your mother. She’s been draining your offshore accounts for months. She’s funneled nearly two million dollars into a private shell company.”
Ryder felt a cold stone settle in his stomach. It wasn't just the money; it was the betrayal of his trust. He had worked grueling hours in Saudi Arabia to provide a life of luxury for his family, only to have that money used to bankroll his wife’s cruelty.
In the medical ward, Jade sat in a chair, her head bandaged. She had refused to leave until she knew his mother was stable. Ryder entered the room, his heart aching. He had never truly looked at Jade before—not beyond her role as an employee. Now, he saw the quiet grace in her features and the depth of her soul.
“You saved her,” Ryder said softly, pulling up a chair.
May you like
“She’s the only family I have left,” Jade replied, her voice trembling. “She’s kind. She never deserved this.”
Ryder realized then that his marriage had been a prison, and Jade had been the only one trying to break the lock. He began to organize a new life—one where his mother would be safe, and where the people who mattered were protected.
