Chapter 4 - The Mistress’s Downfall
Alice Carter was pouring herself a glass of Pinot Noir in her four-million-dollar Tribeca kitchen when the front door of her condo was kicked open.
She screamed, dropping the wine glass as it shattered across the Italian marble.
Three federal agents in dark windbreakers stormed into the apartment, followed closely by Rachel Patterson, who was wearing a chic trench coat and carrying a thick manila envelope.
"What the hell is going on?!" Alice shrieked, clutching her silk robe. "You can't just barge in here!"
"Actually, Alice, they can," Rachel said, stepping over the spilled wine. "Because this condo was purchased with stolen corporate funds. It is currently the subject of a federal asset seizure."
Alice’s face drained of color. "Zachary bought this for me! It's mine!"
"Zachary is currently sitting in a holding cell downtown waiting for his bail hearing," Rachel informed her coldly. "He gave the FBI your name, Alice. He told them you blackmailed him into setting up Apex Consulting. He told them the wire fraud was your idea."
"He lied!" Alice screamed, absolute panic setting in. "He promised me he was leaving you! He told me the money was his!"
"Zachary is a liar. That's the only thing you and I will ever agree on," Rachel said, handing the manila envelope to the lead FBI agent. "But the paper trail shows that your signature is on the LLC formation documents. You are the registered agent of Apex Consulting. Which makes you an accessory to grand larceny and corporate embezzlement."
The federal agent stepped forward and pulled out a pair of heavy steel handcuffs. "Alice Carter, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and receipt of stolen corporate property. You have the right to remain silent."
"No! Please!" Alice sobbed hysterically as the agent snapped the cuffs onto her wrists. She looked at Rachel, begging. "I didn't know! I swear I didn't know the money was stolen!"
"You knew he was married," Rachel said softly, her eyes entirely devoid of pity. "You knew I was pregnant. You sat behind a velvet curtain and laughed while I was at home painting a nursery. You gambled with my family's future, Alice. Welcome to the consequences."
Rachel turned and walked out of the penthouse as the agents read Alice her Miranda rights. The mistress who thought she had secured a billionaire’s fortune was going to spend the next five years in a federal penitentiary.
Rachel stepped out into the crisp Manhattan air. The sun was setting, painting the city skyline in brilliant shades of gold and orange. Her phone vibrated. It was Richard Vance from the board of directors.
"Rachel," Richard said, his voice laced with deep respect. "The board just took a unanimous vote. With Zachary gone, the IPO needs a steady, brilliant mind at the helm. We want you to step in as the permanent CEO of Patterson Technologies."
May you like
Rachel rested her hand on the gentle curve of her stomach, feeling her baby kick for the first time. A genuine, radiant smile broke across her face.
"Draw up the contract, Richard," Rachel said. "I'll see you in the office on Monday."
