Chapter 2 - The Secret Behind the Name
Preston followed Vivienne into a private corridor.
"Wait."
She kept walking.
"Vivienne!"
She stopped.
Slowly, she turned.
"What?"
"What is this?"
"This is a gala."
"You know what I mean."
"No."
He stepped closer.
"Why is everyone calling you Sinclair?"
"Because that's my name."
"Your name is Vivienne Hale."
She smiled.
"Legally, yes."
"Then why are they treating you like..."
"Like what?"
He couldn't finish.
Like royalty.
Like power.
Like money.
Tiffany appeared behind him.
"Preston, maybe we should go."
Vivienne looked at her.
"Please don't."
Tiffany stiffened.
"This is a private conversation."
"No," Vivienne said calmly. "It isn't."
She gestured toward the ballroom.
"Nothing about tonight is private."
Preston's jaw tightened.
"You've been lying to me."
Vivienne's expression changed.
"That's an interesting accusation."
"I thought you worked in consulting."
"I do."
"For who?"
"For my family."
"What family?"
Vivienne stared at him.
"The Sinclair family."
Preston laughed nervously.
"That's impossible."
"Why?"
"Because the Sinclair family owns Sinclair Holdings."
"Correct."
"And Sinclair Holdings is worth billions."
"Correct again."
He stared at her.
"You're telling me you're..."
"Vivienne Sinclair."
The name seemed to echo.
Preston remembered their wedding.
She had insisted on a small ceremony.
No press.
No family.
No extravagant reception.
He had thought she was embarrassed by him.
Now he understood.
She had been protecting herself.
"You made me think you were broke."
"I never said I was broke."
"You lived in that tiny apartment."
"It was mine."
"You drove that old Volvo."
"It was reliable."
"You bought groceries with coupons."
"I like saving money."
"You wore sweaters from discount stores."
"I still do."
His voice cracked.
"Why?"
Vivienne's eyes hardened.
"Because I wanted to know if you loved me."
Silence.
Preston looked away.
She continued.
"I met you when you were ambitious. You told me you wanted to build something. You told me money didn't matter."
"It didn't."
"You said you wanted a partner."
"I did."
"You said you'd never become your father."
His face tightened.
"Don't bring my father into this."
"Why? Because he would be ashamed of you?"
Preston stepped closer.
"You manipulated me."
"No."
"You tested me."
"I observed you."
"That's worse."
Vivienne smiled sadly.
"Is it?"
He couldn't answer.
A man in a tuxedo approached.
"Ms. Sinclair, the board is ready."
"Thank you."
He glanced at Preston.
"Should we remove him?"
Preston's eyes widened.
"Remove me?"
Vivienne shook her head.
"No."
She looked at Preston.
"Let him stay."
The man nodded and left.
Preston stared at her.
"Why?"
"Because you came here tonight expecting to show everyone what you'd achieved."
She stepped closer.
"I want you to see what I achieved while you were busy pretending you did."
His face burned.
Tiffany interrupted.
"This is ridiculous."
Vivienne looked at her.
"You should be careful."
Tiffany folded her arms.
"Excuse me?"
"You've been charging personal expenses to Sinclair Holdings."
Tiffany went pale.
Preston turned.
"What?"
Vivienne continued.
"Hotel rooms. Jewelry. Restaurant bills. A private apartment."
Tiffany's lips parted.
"How do you know?"
Vivienne smiled.
"I own the company."
Preston looked at Tiffany.
"You told me those expenses were approved."
"They were."
"By whom?"
Tiffany hesitated.
Vivienne answered.
"By your husband."
Preston's face went blank.
"You knew?"
"For months."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because I wanted to see how far you'd go."
He whispered,
"And?"
Vivienne's voice became cold.
"You went farther than I imagined."
A waiter approached.
"Ms. Sinclair, the presentation is beginning."
Vivienne nodded.
Then she looked at Preston.
"Enjoy the show."
She walked away.
Preston watched her disappear into the ballroom.
Tiffany grabbed his arm.
"We need to leave."
"No."
"What?"
"I'm not leaving."
"Preston—"
"I need to understand."
Across the ballroom, Vivienne stepped onto the stage.
The lights dimmed.
A screen appeared behind her.
The first slide showed Sinclair Holdings.
Then Evermont Diamonds.
Then three luxury hotel chains.
Then a global investment fund.
Then a private aviation company.
Preston's mouth fell open.
The final slide appeared.
SINCLAIR FAMILY TRUST.
BENEFACTOR: VIVIENNE SINCLAIR.
The audience applauded.
Preston stared at the screen.
He had spent five years trying to become a man powerful enough to impress his wife.
He had never realized she had been powerful enough to buy the company he worked for.
And then Vivienne said something that made the entire ballroom go silent.
"Tonight's gala isn't simply a celebration."
May you like
She looked directly at Preston.
"It's the beginning of a new chapter."
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