My Husband Chose His Ex I Became His Regret novel Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Aidan

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Marcus just announced from my office across the hall that Knight Group stock has dropped re-entering free- fall at 2 hours after opening for trading! He was glued to the Knight Group ticker on his computer monitor as if it was the Super Bowl. This whole thing was unbelievable to him.

When I should be celebrating I feel like I’ve lost everything because that’s what’s been happening since I began planning for this day, fifteen years ago, now Mark Knight’s empire is disintegrating in front of my eyes, but all I can see is him destroying my entire world.

“Are you alright?” Marcus asks, gazing at me with concern.

“I’m fine, what’s up?” I reply with irritation, as I place the champagne glass down unopened on my desk.

“Henderson Corp just pulled out of their contract with Knight Group. They represent Knight Group’s third largest client, and now that Morrison & Patterson are following suit, both have issued statements indicating they are looking to run for the exit door,” Marcus continues to pull up more items on line. “At this rate, there will be zero Knight Group clients left by the end of the week.”

“What about the Board?”

“The Board has an emergency meeting scheduled at 12pm today. My sources say that they will vote no confidence in Mark as CEO.”

No confidence. Finished. Finished. Wiped out.

This is what I wanted.

Then my phone vibrates with a text from Lila saying: Don’t contact me, I need time.

The fourth time she’s said it in two days. Since she kicked me out of her apartment. Since Mark planted that seed about Singapore. Since everything I’ve built with her started cracking.

I type back: I understand. But Lila, it’s not what you think. The Lee contract…

Delete it. She doesn’t want explanations. Doesn’t want to hear my side. Just wants space.

Space I have to give her. Even though it’s killing me.

“Still nothing?” Marcus asks gently.

“She won’t talk to me.”

“Give her time. She’s processing a lot. Mark showing up, the surveillance file, the contract clause, it’s overwhelming.”

“I should have been honest with her,” I say to Marcus, “because I should have told her about everything when I learned about it.” I put my hand through my hair. I cannot concentrate on anything but Lila thinking I am like

10:19 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 63

Mark and using her, manipulating her.

“You were trying to protect Lila…”

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“With lies by omission, I lied no differently than Mark.” I get up and walk to the window, but can still hear

Marcus.

“I stand. Walk to the windows. “She’s right to not trust me. I proved I’m no different than-”

“Stop.” Marcus’s voice is sharp. “You’re nothing like Mark Knight. You made a judgment call about timing. Mark systematically abused her for three years. Those aren’t remotely the same.”

“Aren’t they? I kept information from her. Made decisions about her life without consulting her. Decided what she could and couldn’t handle. That’s exactly what Mark…”

“The difference is your intent. Mark controlled Lila to make himself feel powerful. You were trying to give her peace for a few more days. The outcome might look similar, but the motivation is completely different.”

I want to believe him. Want to believe I’m different. Better. But looking at my phone, at Lila’s text telling me not to contact her, I’m not sure anymore.

“This is interesting.” Marcus starts.

“What?”

“Sienna just held a press conference. Distancing herself from Mark. Claims she ‘had no knowledge of any illegal activities’ and is ‘shocked and dismayed.”” He plays the video.

Sienna on screen, looking appropriately devastated. Makeup perfect. Statement carefully crafted.

“I trusted Mark. We all did. The allegations of embezzlement and fraud, I’m as surprised as anyone. I’ve been cooperating fully with investigators. My heart goes out to Knight Group employees who are losing their jobs because of one man’s criminal actions.”

“She’s trying to play victim,” I say.

“It gets better.” Marcus pulls up another file. “Remember the recordings James got? Sienna admitting she planted false stories about Lila?”

“Yes.”

“Our friends at the press just received an anonymous package. All the recordings. All the evidence of Sienna coordinating the smear campaign. Should be going live any minute.”

Just then my phone buzzed with an alert. BREAKING: Recordings show Sienna Whitmore conspired to defame Lila Stark.

I opened the article, which contained audio clips of Sienna saying, among other things, that “Lila Stark has always been unstable; Mark did everything he could to help her and she was completely unable to help herself, her affair with Storm was going on long before she filed for divorce, and I have sources to support my claims.”

10:19 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 63

94

55 youchers

“Justice,” Marcus said softly. “First for Lila, and for what they tried to do to destroy her reputation.”

“Justice.” How empty that word sounds. Mark is losing everything, Sienna has been exposed, and Knight Group is collapsing. It’s happening as planned. But I am losing Lila and suddenly all the revenge in the world doesn’t matter.

My phone rings. Cecilia Ross, my legal counsel.

“Aidan! Did you see the board announcement for Knight Group?”

“Not yet.”

“Mark Knight was removed as CEO effective immediately and they issued a formal statement condemning his actions and pledging full cooperation with the investigators. They are also going to file bankruptcy by the end of the week.”

“Bankruptcy? Wow! That’s finally the last nail in the coffin.”

“I mean, um… guess that’s a relief.”

“You don’t seem happy?”

“I am… I’m just –”

I hang up. I turn to Marcus, “It’s done. Mark’s out, and they’re filing for bankruptcy!”

“We won!” He lifts up his champagne glass, “After 15 years, we finally won!”

“I wish Lila was with me now.”

Marcus looks at me, “You’re in love with her.”

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