Chapter 1: The Man Who Owned Nothing
Chapter 1: The Man Who Owned Nothing
Marcus stormed across the marble lobby.
"This is ridiculous!" he shouted. "I am the CEO!"
No one answered.
The receptionist who had greeted him every morning quietly lowered her eyes.
The executive assistant who had followed him for five years stepped away from his office.
Even the valet avoided looking in his direction.
The general manager swallowed hard before handing Marcus a sealed envelope.
"It came from the board."
Marcus ripped it open.
Inside was a single-page letter.
Effective immediately, your employment, authority, and access to all Castle Hospitality Group properties have been terminated.
He laughed.
"This has to be a joke."
"It isn't," a calm voice replied.
Marcus turned.
Standing in the lobby was Isabella.
She looked exactly as she had an hour earlier.
No expensive jewelry.
No dramatic entrance.
Just quiet confidence.
For the first time all evening, Marcus noticed something he had ignored throughout their marriage.
She wasn't frightened.
She was free.
"You planned this?" he demanded.
Isabella shook her head.
"No."
"You planned it for yourself."
Marcus frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"It means every opportunity you received came because someone believed in you."
"My father invested in your ideas."
"The board trusted my judgment."
"I defended you every time someone questioned your decisions."
She paused.
"The only thing I did tonight was stop protecting you."
May you like
The words hit harder than any insult ever could.
Because deep inside, Marcus knew they were true.
