\u201cSign this agreement right now,\u201d Edwin ordered, pushing some official papers onto the wooden table. \u201cThe house has already been promised to a buyer, and you have nothing to discuss.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then, confident in my supposed ignorance, Gillian bragged that they would use my savings, the inheritance, and a big financial move by the company to start over.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need three days to think about this,\u201d I told them quietly.<\/p>\n
Edwin scoffed, believing my delay was born from fear and weakness.<\/p>\n
The following morning, I opened Edwin\u2019s office safe with the emergency key I had hidden years ago. Inside a corporate envelope, I found forged contracts, invoices from nonexistent suppliers, and a bank transfer slip written in his own handwriting.<\/p>\n
The document ordered a transfer of two million dollars destined for a shell company in Singapore.<\/p>\n
Attorney Hughes took this newly discovered evidence directly to Franklin Higgins, the company owner and an old friend of my father. Upon seeing the documents, the businessman slammed his fist hard on the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake it look like the money has been successfully transferred,\u201d Franklin said firmly. \u201cI want Edwin to arrive at the airport convinced that he is completely untouchable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then, he took out his phone to call the federal prosecutor who would be handling the case directly.<\/p>\n
What Franklin was about to reveal would make my divorce the absolute least of Edwin\u2019s financial problems.<\/p>\n
Franklin Higgins was not a man who raised his voice easily. He had built his company over forty years and maintained an almost ancient loyalty to those who had helped him build it.<\/p>\n
My father had been one of those trusted men.<\/p>\n
Twenty-five years ago, when Edwin was an employee with no connections or experience, I was the one who asked my father to speak with Franklin. My father recommended him because he trusted the young man who was going to marry his only daughter.<\/p>\n
Thanks to that crucial introduction, Edwin joined Apex Holdings, rose through the ranks, and ended up managing international operations.<\/p>\n
Over the years, however, Edwin began to tell a very different story to anyone who would listen. He claimed that he had achieved everything through his own raw talent and that I was a burden who had never contributed anything.<\/p>\n
Franklin looked at the photographs of the fake invoices and then looked at me with moist, apologetic eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cHarriet, your father asked me to take care of you before he passed,\u201d the older businessman said softly. \u201cI put that man in a position where he could hurt you and steal from me, and I feel I have failed you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did not let me down,\u201d I replied gently. \u201cEdwin made his own choices.\u201d<\/p>\n
The businessman took a deep breath and explained what his internal security team had discovered.<\/p>\n
The invoices corresponded to three companies created by a straw man connected to Gillian. Edwin had authorized small payments for over a year to test the company\u2019s internal controls.<\/p>\n
Then, he prepared the final blow, which was the two million dollars that were to be sent the Friday before his trip.<\/p>\n
The finance department had received the order, but Franklin stopped it without Edwin\u2019s knowledge. In the internal system, it appeared as processed, although the money remained completely frozen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will let him proceed with his plan,\u201d the lawyer said. \u201cEvery call, every instruction, and every additional document will only strengthen our case.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the next three days, I played the most difficult role of my entire life.<\/p>\n
Edwin arrived home in excellent spirits, acting as if he did not have a care in the world. He asked me to pack his linen suits because he was going on an important business trip to Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n
I folded each shirt carefully, making sure everything looked perfect. I packed his shoes, his ties, and the expensive cologne he reserved for important meetings.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt least you are good for this,\u201d he remarked, without even looking at me. \u201cWhen I get back, I will probably have sorted out this house situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave a good trip,\u201d I replied calmly.<\/p>\n
That night, he had dinner across from me while constantly exchanging messages with Gillian. Neither of them knew that their phones were under judicial surveillance or that the bank had already reported the attempted international transfer.<\/p>\n
Before going to bed, Edwin left a folder with a divorce agreement on the kitchen table.<\/p>\n
\u201cSign this tomorrow,\u201d he ordered. \u201cI will leave you a reasonable amount to rent a small apartment, so do not be greedy.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at the figure, which was only eight thousand dollars after twenty-five years of marriage.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to read it over,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRead it?\u201d he scoffed. \u201cYou never understood a bank statement, so just do what is best for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next morning, I pretended to have signed the papers, but Attorney Hughes had prepared identical, invalid sheets of paper. Edwin barely glanced at the signature page before sliding the folder into his bag.<\/p>\n
He was so sure of my own incompetence that he did not notice the difference.<\/p>\n
He put the document in his briefcase and left the house whistling a cheerful tune.<\/p>\n
Hours later, I received a call from Gillian.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you for not complicating things,\u201d she said with a smug tone. \u201cSomeday you will understand that some women are born to accompany important men, and others to serve them food.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps you are right,\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n
That was the very last time she spoke to me with superiority.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Edwin asked me to accompany him to the airport. He wanted to say goodbye like a decent person, but in reality, he wanted to humiliate me in front of Gillian.<\/p>\n
During the drive, he looked impatiently out the window while tapping his fingers. Gillian was already waiting for him at the terminal.<\/p>\n
When he got out of the car, he ordered me to help him with a heavy suitcase. I lifted it without protest, even though it contained expensive watches, corporate documents, and jewelry bought with company money.<\/p>\n
The scene unfolded exactly as Franklin had predicted.<\/p>\n
After telling me he would spend the rest of his life with Gillian, Edwin walked toward the security checkpoint. The immigration alert was triggered the moment his passport was scanned.<\/p>\n
The federal agents identified themselves and showed him the warrant.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou must come with us immediately,\u201d the lead officer said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere must be some mistake,\u201d Edwin shouted, panic rising in his voice. \u201cI am the director of Apex Holdings, so you need to call Mr. Higgins right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then, Franklin Higgins appeared, accompanied by Attorney Hughes and two legal representatives of the company.<\/p>\n
Edwin remained completely motionless.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am here now,\u201d Franklin said coldly. \u201cAnd it was I who handed over the evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gillian immediately stepped back, trying to distance herself from him. She tried to walk away with her luggage, but an officer firmly asked her to stay put.<\/p>\n
She started crying and insisted she knew nothing about his crimes.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour partner?\u201d Edwin asked, looking at her with pure disbelief. \u201cYou created the shell companies, and you received Harriet\u2019s money.\u201d<\/p>\n