At my birthday party, my husband tied me to a ceiling beam and whipped me thirty times because I had stained his mistress’s dress. “Maybe now you’ll learn your place,” he laughed while everyone watched. I didn’t cry. When they finally cut me down, I picked up my phone and called my five gangster brothers. “Make his entire family beg for mercy,” I whispered. Then the front gates suddenly slammed shut.

The ballroom erupted into hushed, panicked murmurs among the elite guests.

“This is absurd!” Arthur shouted, reaching for his phone. “I have judges on my payroll! I have the Mayor on speed dial!”

Caleb stepped forward, pulling a high-tech tablet from his coat and tapping the screen once.

Instantly, the massive projector screen behind the stage—which had been displaying a glowing photo of Isaac and Clover’s latest corporate design project—flickered violently. The image vanished, replaced by high-definition video recordings and audio logs.

A recording played aloud through the ballroom speakers:

“Don't worry about Flora,” Isaac’s voice echoed clearly through the room. “She’s a timid idiot. Once I transfer her family trust shares into my offshore holdings, I’ll file for divorce and leave her with nothing. You’ll be the new Mrs. Vance, Clover.”

Clover gasped, her face draining of all color as the entire room watched her private text messages with Isaac scroll across the forty-foot screen, detailing their embezzlement scheme.

“Shut it off! Shut it off right now!” Isaac yelled, lunging toward the audiovisual console.

Leo stepped in his path, placing one massive hand against Isaac’s chest and shoving him backward so hard Isaac collapsed onto the champagne table, shattering dozens of crystal flutes.

Champagne and glass soaked Isaac’s tailored suit as he scrambled back in terror.

“Do you know what the penalty for treason in the Sterling family is, Isaac?” Marcus asked softly, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses. “It isn't just loss of wealth. It’s total erasure.”

I stepped up beside Noah, looking down at my bleeding, glass-covered husband.

“I gave you four years of my life, Isaac,” I said, my voice steady and cold. “I cooked for you. I managed your estate. I remained silent while your mother insulted my background every single day. I did it because I believed in marriage.”

Wendy tried to speak, but Caleb raised a single finger, silencing her instantly.

“You thought I was weak because I chose peace,” I continued, staring into Isaac’s horrified eyes. “You forgot that peace is a choice made by those who possess dangerous power.”

“Flora, please—” Isaac stammered, his hand trembling as he wiped champagne from his face. “We... we can talk about this! It was a mistake! Clover tricked me!”