Chapter 2: The Folder With His Name On It
— Part 2 —
The applause was still building when I reached the stage and shook Walter's hand.
Two hundred people were clapping.
Jason was not one of them.
He stood completely still in the center of the ballroom, his champagne glass tilted slightly in his hand, his face the color of old ash.
Chloe had taken one full step away from him.
I spoke briefly into the microphone.
I thanked Walter.
I thanked the employees.
I kept my voice steady and warm.
Then I stepped down from the stage and walked directly toward my husband.
The crowd parted.
Jason found his voice first.
"You planned this," he said.
Low.
Tight.
Like a man trying not to drown in front of witnesses.
"I planned a great many things," I said quietly.
"You did this to humiliate me."
"No, Jason.
You did that yourself.
Tonight just made it visible."
Chloe touched his arm.
He shook her off without looking at her.
Then Walter appeared at my side and said four words I had been waiting six weeks to hear.
"The auditors are ready, Helena."
Jason's head snapped toward Walter.
"What auditors?"
Walter didn't answer him.
Instead, he placed a single manila folder on the nearest table and slid it toward Jason.
Jason stared at it without touching it.
"What is that?" he asked.
I picked up my water glass again.
"Open it," I said.
"It has your name on it."
His hand moved toward the folder.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the screen — and whatever color was left in his face disappeared completely.
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What Jason saw on that phone and inside that folder changed everything that happened next.
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The full story — including what Helena had quietly uncovered over six months — is in the link below.
Click to read the complete ending.
