Chapter 2: The Web of Deceit
Jonathan froze, Rebecca’s fingers digging like talons into the expensive fabric of his suit jacket. Outside the restaurant's glass windows, the taillights of a yellow taxi blurred through the pouring rain, carrying Mariana and his five-year-old twins away into the Manhattan night.
"What did you just say?" Jonathan turned on his wife, his voice dropping to a dangerous, vibrating whisper that caused a nearby waiter to instantly steer clear of their table.
Rebecca’s face was a mask of calculated composure, but her eyes held a desperate, cornered panic. "I said, drop it, Jonathan. You made a choice six years ago. You chose a dynasty. You chose me. If you reopen the past, you destroy everything we built."
"You know something," Jonathan said, the realization hitting him like a physical blow. He violently wrenched his arm from her grip. "The fertility clinic. The tests. For six years, I thought Mariana was the one who couldn't conceive. The doctor told me yesterday there is absolutely nothing wrong with me. He said my historical medical records showed perfect health."
Jonathan stepped closer, his imposing stature casting a shadow over his wife. "But six years ago, my uncle Harrison handed me a medical report from our family-approved clinic stating I was completely fertile, but Mariana had a genetic abnormality. Who altered those files, Rebecca?"
Rebecca took a step back, her perfect socialite smile completely shattering. "Jonathan, please. We are in public. Think of the Sterling-Vance merger next week!"
"Answer me!" he roared, drawing the attention of the entire dining room.
"It was your uncle!" Rebecca hissed back, her voice a sharp, venomous whisper. "Harrison knew Mariana would never support his real estate embezzlement plans. She was an art conservator—she had ethics! She was looking over the family trust's historical asset evaluations. She was going to catch him! So Harrison found a problem, and I provided the solution."
Jonathan felt the air leave his lungs. "The solution?"
"My father owns the medical network, Jonathan!" Rebecca sneered, her defensive arrogance returning. "We switched the files. We made you believe she was barren so you would divorce her and marry me, consolidating our corporate shares. And it worked! You got your empire. Mariana got her freedom. Why do you care now? She clearly used a sperm donor to get those kids anyway!"
"They are my children, Rebecca," Jonathan said, a terrifying calmness washing over his face. "The boy has my grandfather's face. The girl has my eyes. She didn't use a donor. She was already pregnant when I threw her out of our home in the rain."
Rebecca gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.
May you like
Jonathan didn't say another word. He reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and dialed his chief of security. "Marcus. Assemble the legal team at the penthouse in thirty minutes. And call the authorities. I want a full forensic audit on every medical file processed by the Sterling Network regarding my name over the last decade. We are filing for immediate divorce on the grounds of corporate fraud and criminal conspiracy."
He looked back at Rebecca, who was now trembling, realizing the multi-billion-dollar empire she had lied to secure was crumbling in seconds. "Do not come back to the penthouse," Jonathan said coldly. "Your clothes will be delivered to your father's office in garbage bags tomorrow morning."
