My Husband Chose His Ex I Became His Regret novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Lila

(6

93

55 vouchere

Having been underestimated my whole life has allowed me to observe many things that the people around me are unaware I have witnessed.

I have been watching Mark Knight for the past three years, and I have been keeping track of all the mistakes he has made and all the ways in which he has left ammunition for myself and others at their disposal.

Mark Knight has seriously underestimated me. And it’s time for him to find out why.

I arrive at the headquarters of the Knight Group and find that it has changed quite a bit since my last visit. I remember Knight Group being a large imposing building, but it now appears very small and quite sad. The building only has half of its floors with lights on. There is no one at the reception desk.

The guard at the entrance of the building tries to stop me.

“Ma’am I’m sorry but…”

“I am here to see Mark Knight.” My voice is strong enough for the guard to hear. “Tell him Lila Stark is here, and I have something he needs to see before his broadcast.”

The guard hesitates before talking into his radio. “He says to send you up.”

Of course he’s sending me up. He thinks I am coming to submit, plead or do whatever he wishes me to do.

The elevator ride to the executive level takes longer than I would have liked, due to my own need to check my reflection in the polished stainless steel doors.

Black suit. Hair pulled back. No tears. No fear.

I look like someone who could destroy you.

As I step out of the elevator, Mark is waiting for me in what used to be his office. His office is completely empty and has boxes everywhere due to the packing up of his office space, by mandate of the federal government. He looks like he’s ready for the cameras – he’s got on an expensive suit and a fresh haircut; he has completely lost that vulnerable look he had while in the hospital.

“You’re here!” He says with a huge smile on his face.

“I told you I’d be here.”

“You do exactly as you’re told and it’s one of your best characteristics,” He motions with his hand for me to sit down. “We should discuss your statement’s terms.”

I refuse to sit down. I shut the door behind me to lock it.

His expression changes slightly. “What are you doing?-

10:24 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 73

93

55 vouchere

“I need you to listen carefully to me, Mark.” I place my purse on his desk; I take a folder out. “I am only going to say this one time.”

“Lila…”

“You are going to cancel the press conference you are having. You are going to release a statement that acknowledges all of the allegations against me and Aidan were false. You are going to publicly apologize for lying and then you are going to take any plea bargain the federal prosecutors offer you and you’ll disappear from my life forever.”

He stares at me in shock, then begins laughing. “What will you do if I don’t do it? Tell everybody I am a liar? They already believe you are lying. The public’s opinion has been made; you lost this case.”

“I’m not done.” I open up the folder and pull out the first page. “Do you remember a company by the name of Meridian Tech?”

His face loses its colour.

“I thought you might.” I set the document on the desk. “Meridian Tech. Small startup. You acquired it six years ago. Paid eight million for their patents. Except the patents were worthless, you knew that. What you actually wanted was their client list. Specifically, their government contracts.”

“You sold those federal government contracts to DataCore for twenty-three million dollars cash. No bank deposit. No reporting of the sale. The entire amount was placed in an offshore account you control.” I pull out another document to look at the first document I’d pulled. “Cayman Islands. Account number 847-29- CH-0394. Do you want me to keep going?”

His jaw is so tight; I can see the muscle jump with every heartbeat. “Where did you get that?”

“You told me I didn’t have enough common sense to know how to run a business. I can find out everything you did wrong if you think I wasn’t paying attention. I was paying attention to everything you thought I couldn’t hear.”

“Those records are privileged.”

“Are you serious? I found them all in your home office, in our home. I think I had every right to be there. And I can tell you there are many more documents if you would like to discuss the Mitchell Holdings’ deal next or should I just bring you to a few of the most exciting?”

“You’re bluffing.”

“Am I?” I pull out a USB flash drive with a copy of every illegal transaction you have committed over the past eight years: every bribe, kickback, fraudulent transaction. I have confirmed you are committing tax fraud in seven states, you’ve committed securities fraud on twelve counts, and my personal favorite…” I pull out one last piece of paper. “…for conspiring to commit insider trading with Senator Davidson.”

The blood leaves his face.

“Senator Davidson.” Letting his name hang in the air like an anchor. “Up for re-election. Leading in the polls, Right now, he is very interested in keeping what happened with the financial crime out of the news.

“Lila, you don’t understand…”

10:24 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 73

93

89 vouchers

“I understand perfectly. You gave Morrison advance information on the Techfield merger. He bought stock. Made four million dollars. You got a cut. The SEC would be very interested in this. So would the FBI. So would every major news outlet in the country.”

Mark is shaking now. “If you release that, I go to prison for decades… I won’t let you ruin my life.”

“You’ve been ruining it since the beginning.”

“I was desperate; I lost everything and didn’t know what else to do…”

“You wanted to punish me for leaving you, for choosing myself first, for not being your victim any longer.” I say coldly, calmly. “But what you don’t understand, Mark, is that I’m not the same frightened girl that you married, nor am I the woman who took the abuse and convinced myself that I deserved it. I’ve changed, I’ve grown and become someone you need to fear.”

He is panting, fists clenched. “What do you want from me?”

“I’ve already told you what I want; cancel the press conference, admit to the lie, apologize, disappear.”

“And if I do that, will you destroy the evidence?” He asked and I nodded even though it was a lie.

“You have 10 minutes. Cancel the press conference or I release everything. Your choice.”

“Lila, wait…”

I stop. Don’t turn around.

“Please.” His voice cracks. “Please don’t do this. I’ll…I’ll do anything. I’ll do it. Anything you want. Just don’t…”

I hear him move. I turn back.

He’s on his knees.

Mark Knight. CEO. Master manipulator. Man who made me believe I was nothing.

On his knees.

Begging.

“Please,” he says again. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. For everything. For hurting you. For…for all of it. Just please. please have mercy. Save me.”

I look down at him. This man who spent years making me feel small. Who told me I was worthless. Who convinced me I’d never survive without him.

I feel nothing.

No pity. No satisfaction. No anger.

Just… nothing.

10:24 Wed, May 13 N

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify