Elmer straightened his suit and strode onto the stage to confront me.
"You know exactly how you got into this company, don't you, Gwendolen?"
"Without my family's support, where would you be today?"
"Now that you've grown wings, you think you can pull this kind of filthy stunt to kick me to the curb?!"
I smiled at him.
"That's right. That's exactly what I'm doing. Kicking you to the curb."
"Either forfeit your shares or give me seven million dollars in cash. Pick one."
Elmer froze for a moment, then laughed instead of getting angry. His eyes were full of contempt as he looked at me. He deliberately raised his voice so everyone in the venue could hear every word.
"Gwendolen James, what the hell has gotten into you today?"
"Those two options of yours? I'm not picking either one!"
He paused, then took a step forward. His tone carried a clear threat.
"But here's what you should be thinking about. Do you even realize this launch event is being livestreamed?"
"You're making a scene in front of all these people. Have you stopped to consider how much damage this is doing to Stellaris Technologies?"
I watched him try to change the subject and felt a cold laugh rise inside me. But my expression stayed perfectly calm, and I followed his thread right where he wanted it to go.
"Oh, I'm well aware it's a livestream."
"I also know there are already five million viewers watching right now."
"So let them be my witnesses. I, Gwendolen James, stand behind every single word I've said today."
The whispers in the venue swelled into open debate. Those who had ties to the Mason family, or who owed the Masons favors, stepped forward immediately, pointing fingers at me.
"Stellaris Technologies wouldn't exist without the Mason family backing it. What you're doing is beyond ungrateful."
"Exactly. She's just some nobody with no status and no connections. Doesn't even have the sense to know her place."
"Eating at the Masons' table, living off the Masons' money, and now she wants to turn around and bite the hand that feeds her."
"The Masons really drew the short straw. How'd they end up raising a snake like her?"
Over the years, I'd heard every kind of mockery imaginable. I was long past caring.
I looked past the crowd and let my gaze settle back on Elmer.
"Have you made up your mind? Which one is it going to be?"
Elmer stared at me, his expression shifting between dark and darker. Then he lunged forward, snatched the microphone from my hand, and bellowed into it.
"Get out!"
"Effective immediately, you are no longer vice president of Stellaris Technologies!"
"Stellaris has nothing to do with you anymore!"
Watching him come unglued like that, I couldn't help but smile.
Because I'd anticipated every bit of this.
I reached slowly into my pocket and pulled out the divorce papers I'd prepared well in advance.
"Since you won't forfeit your shares, then you've chosen the seven million."
"Sign."
Elmer stared at me in disbelief. "You planned all of this?"
"Are you really not going to stop until everyone knows, until you've destroyed me and destroyed this company?"
"I'm telling you one more time, there is absolutely nothing between me and Lorraine!"
I waved my hand, signaling him to save the explanations. A thread of impatience crept into my voice.
"We're both adults. There's no need for excuses."
"All you need to do is pay for the choices you've made."
When he opened his mouth to argue again, I leaned in close. Right next to his ear, I whispered with a smile.
"You don't seriously think I only had one photo, do you?"
"If you want more evidence, that's fine. I'll give the people exactly what they're asking for."
"Let everyone get a nice long look at those intimate pictures of you two."
I turned to grab the remote.
Elmer blocked my path, gripping my arm tight.
He'd panicked. His eyes darted across the crowd before he leaned in and hissed at me under his breath.
