THE PRICE OF BETRAYAL

# The Price of Betrayal ### Chapter 1: The News From the Bedroom Elena Whitmore had been married to Julian Ashford for eight years. During those eight years, Elena set aside her own career as a painter to support her husband. Julian had one goal: to become CEO of his family's company before he turned thirty. Elena managed the household, organized Julian's schedule, attended every company event with him, and turned down major painting commissions because Julian needed her available at all times. That evening, Elena came home early from the gallery. She wanted to surprise her husband because tomorrow was the day Julian would officially be named CEO. Elena brought a cake and a bottle of wine. The house was quiet when she walked in. The light in the main bedroom was on. Elena went upstairs, smiling. The bedroom door was unlocked. Elena opened it and saw Julian in bed with a woman. The woman was Camille, Elena's own sister. Elena stood still in the doorway. The cake fell from her hands onto the floor. Julian sat up immediately and grabbed the blanket. Camille covered her face with a pillow. "Elena, I can explain," Julian said. Elena did not answer. She turned around and walked down to the living room. Julian followed her, wearing only his trousers. Camille stayed in the bedroom, too afraid to come out. "How long has this been going on?" Elena asked. Julian was silent for a few seconds before answering. "One year." "And the child Camille is carrying, is it yours?" Julian nodded. Elena sat down on the sofa. She did not cry. She simply stared at the floor. After eight years of managing the household and supporting her husband's career, Elena had just learned that for the past year, her husband had been sleeping with her own sister, and now her sister was pregnant. "You're still going to become CEO tomorrow," Elena said quietly. "While I have to pretend everything is fine in front of the guests." "We can deal with this after tomorrow's event," Julian said. "Don't make a scene now. A lot of investors will be there." That sentence made Elena realize something. Julian cared more about his new position than about their marriage. Elena stood up and picked up her bag. "I'm going to my parents' house tonight," Elena said. "Handle your event on your own tomorrow." Elena left the house without taking anything else. She drove without a clear destination until she finally stopped in front of an office building where several floors were still lit. It was the office of the Sinclair Group, the main competitor of the company where Julian worked. Elena knew the name of the man who ran it: Maxwell William, a businessman known for trying to take over Julian's family company. Elena had heard stories about Maxwell's family. Years ago, his family had lost their home and land because of fraudulent practices carried out by people at the company where Julian now worked. Since then, Maxwell had built his own business from nothing, and now he had enough financial power to buy any company he wanted, including Julian's family company. Elena got out of her car and walked into the lobby. Security stopped her, but Elena insisted on meeting Maxwell that same night. After waiting nearly an hour, an assistant finally let her go up. Maxwell's office was simple, without much decoration. Maxwell himself still wore his work shirt even though it was already ten at night. "You're Julian Ashford's wife," Maxwell said as soon as Elena walked in. "I recognize you from company events." "That's right," Elena replied. "And I have information you might need." "What information?" "Julian has been having an affair with my own sister for a year. My sister is pregnant now. Tomorrow Julian will be announced as CEO in front of all the investors. If this news comes out right before that event, his shares will drop." Maxwell leaned back in his chair. "Why are you telling me this instead of a journalist?" "Because I need something from you. I know you're trying to take over that company. This information could speed up your plan. In exchange, I want your help making sure Julian loses everything, not just his position." "You want revenge." "I want him to feel the same loss I felt tonight." Maxwell was quiet for a moment, studying Elena carefully. "Fine. I'll use this information. But I'll also ask something from you." "What is it?" "You'll work with me throughout the takeover. I need someone who knows Julian from the inside, knows his habits, knows which business partners can be approached. You're that person." Elena thought it over. She had no other plan that night, and Maxwell's offer made sense. "I agree," Elena said. Maxwell extended his hand. Elena shook it. "Starting tomorrow morning, we begin," Maxwell said. "And Elena, one thing to remember. Once this starts, there's no turning back. Julian will lose the company, and possibly his reputation as well." "I'm ready," Elena replied. That night, Elena went to her parents' house with a new status. She was no longer the wife of a future CEO, but the partner of the man who would bring that future CEO down. The next day, as Julian stood at the podium accepting his new position, Elena and Maxwell were already preparing the first move to destroy everything Julian had built over the past eight years.