The Lies Behind Her Marriage novel Chapter 194

The Past Complication.

“Miss, have you seen the news?” Helene called first thing on a Wednesday. “Mr. Silas Vander is in trouble. It’s not looking good for the company.”

Serena had just finished changing. She was about to head for work when the call came.

“What? What do you mean?” Serena asked.

“Miss, check the internet for news about the boss,” Helene said.

Serena immediately went online and read the headlines.

[Former Intern Alleges Inappropriate Encounter With VanderMed CEO Seven Years Ago]

[VanderMed Technologies is facing scrutiny after a former intern, Janice Bennet, came forward with allegations involving CEO Silas Vander, claiming an inappropriate personal encounter took place during a corporate event seven years ago.

Janice states that she engaged in a one-night sexual encounter with Mr. Vander during the company’s annual executive summit held at Rexam Grand Hotel.

“At the time, I was young and just starting my career,” the victim said in an interview. “He was the son of the CEO. There was an imbalance. I didn’t feel I had the power to say no.”

While Janice does not allege physical coercion, she claims the encounter left her feeling “pressured and misled,” adding that Silas Vander never acknowledged the incident afterward.

According to internal documents reviewed by this outlet, Janice was part of VanderMed’s competitive executive internship program at the time of the alleged incident.

Corporate governance experts say relationships between executives and interns — even if consensual — raise significant ethical concerns due to power dynamics.]

Serena gulped.

She knew something bad was going to happen, but she did not expect it to be this bad.

Serena was staying with her parents that day. She texted Nathaniel:

[Have you seen the news?]

Nathaniel: [Read it.]

Serena: [We need to take care of it. Can you take the kids?]

Nathaniel: [I’ll take care of the kids, love. I’ll see you in the evening.]

Nathaniel still remained in Rexam.

He said their safety was the priority.

After that Sunday picnic lunch, the kids stayed with him. Serena slept over with Nathaniel until Monday, but returned to her parents' home so she could get some rest.

Let’s just say, Nathaniel, wouldn’t let her.

After finding Silas in the living room, they made their way to the office. Sterling came with them, and he was fuming.

Immediately, on that same day, the board of directors requested an emergency meeting, and what was said did not sit well with Serena and Silas.

***

Melvin was smiling as he read the news. He glanced at the other board members who were on his side, and they smiled at him.

“Our competitors may imitate the structure, but they cannot replicate our technology, our supply chain, or our brand positioning — and most especially Serena’s brain.”

“And trust in my brother,” Serena spoke. “He will oversee an aggressive and exceptionally refined campaign. We won’t just release a product — we will dominate the narrative.”

“As for the allegations against me, I am willing to take a polygraph test to prove my innocence,” Silas said, raising his chin.

Melvin’s pulse stuttered.

A polygraph?

He certainly had not expected Silas to offer that so boldly.

Seven years ago, he had paid Janice to lure Silas Vander into bed. It had been a simple trap — compromise him, record it, destroy him when the time was right. But something had gone wrong that night. The plan had stalled.

The complication was never identified.

For years, Melvin had waited, watching, pretending loyalty while sharpening the blade behind his back.

When the complication never surfaced, Melvin thought it was finally time to reopen an unfinished scheme.

“Are you sure about this, Silas?” Melvin asked.

“I’m sure,” Silas said with conviction. “I never slept with Janice Bennet.”

***

While Silas was confident about the polygraph test, he failed to consider that certain questions could resurrect a complication from seven years ago — one he chose to protect, and one that still had the power to cast doubt on his integrity.