When I looked in the mirror and saw what had happened to my hair, I didn't scream.

Daniel and Vanessa followed me into the boardroom, flanked by the security guards.

“Emily, this has gone far enough,” Daniel snapped, trying to regain his alpha-male composure. He pointed at my hair. “I don't know what kind of psychotic stunt you’re pulling to punish me for a little office crush, but I am the CEO—”

“You were the CEO,” Marcus interrupted, tossing a stack of documents onto the table.

“What?” Daniel scoffed.

“As of 5:02 PM today, the Board of Directors held an emergency electronic vote,” Marcus stated smoothly. “Pursuant to the morality clause in your contract, and utilizing the 51% controlling shareholder’s absolute veto power, your employment at Carter Logistics has been terminated. Effective immediately.”

Daniel stared at Marcus as if the lawyer had just spoken another language. “Controlling shareholder? I own 49% of this company!”

“And my client, your wife, owns 51%,” Marcus smiled. “You didn't build this company, Daniel. You just managed it. And as of today, you are fired.”

All the blood drained from Daniel’s face. He looked at me, his eyes wide with a sudden, suffocating panic. “Emily... you wouldn't.”

“I gave you five minutes,” I reminded him, my voice completely steady. “I told you to bring her to apologize. You laughed.”

Vanessa, sensing the shift in power, stepped forward, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor. “You can't do this! You can't just fire the CEO because you’re a jealous, ugly housewife!”

I didn't even look at her. I looked at Marcus.

“Marcus, does Ms. Brooks still have employment here?”

“Actually, no,” Marcus flipped a page. “Upon auditing the CEO's discretionary fund an hour ago, we found that Ms. Brooks has been receiving unauthorized 'bonuses' totaling $150,000 over the past six months, alongside company-expensed luxury hotel stays. That is corporate embezzlement.”

Vanessa went pale. “No! Daniel authorized it! It was my salary!”

“It’s a felony,” Marcus corrected her. “Security. Please escort Ms. Brooks to her desk. She has two minutes to collect her personal belongings before you escort her off the premises. If she resists, call the police.”

“Daniel, do something!” Vanessa shrieked, grabbing his arm.

But Daniel was paralyzed. He was staring at the documents on the table, watching his entire life vaporize into thin air.

The security guards grabbed Vanessa by the arms. She kicked and screamed, her perfectly manicured facade shattering into hysterical garbage as they dragged her out of the boardroom.

Once the doors closed, Daniel fell into the chair next to me. He put his head in his hands.

“Emily... please. I’m sorry. I was stupid. It meant nothing. She meant nothing! I love you.”

I looked at him—the man I had cooked for, supported, and loved for seven years.

“Your company cars have been repossessed. Your corporate accounts are frozen. The locks on our house have been changed,” I listed off calmly. “You will only speak to me through Marcus from now on.”