The Years We Took for Granted

Chapter 3

I frowned as his grip sent pain through my shoulders. "What do you mean?"

His emotions escalated. "She's missing! She's only just become an adult. Even if she was immature and offended you, couldn't you have been the bigger person? Why did you have to be so vicious?

"You had people take her away and lock her up. Do you realize that's illegal? You're 15 years older than she is. What do you get out of bullying a young woman?"

I finally understood. After I had Vivian removed from the gala, she had vanished completely.

One moment she had been provoking me in public; the next, she had mysteriously disappeared.

Naturally, all suspicion fell on me.

Everyone believed I had held a grudge and used my status and influence to punish her.

Derek included.

I looked up at the man I had accompanied for 15 years.

Seeing the fury in his eyes and his utter lack of faith in me chilled me to the bone.

I spoke slowly. "I didn't do it."

Derek didn't believe my denial at all. He gave a contemptuous laugh, his eyes full of icy mockery. "It wasn't you? Elise Marlowe, I know you've been preparing to launch your own brand."

His fingers tightened painfully around my shoulders. "Do you believe I can destroy everything you've prepared with a single word? Everything you have came from me! Vivian Pierce is a young woman with no one to rely on. Why are you determined to ruin her?"

After 15 years by his side, he didn't trust me in the slightest.

I mocked myself inwardly, but my voice was open and firm. "I'll say it one last time. I didn't do it."

Derek's patience ran out, and his anger blazed. "Fine. You won't admit it? Then don't regret what happens next."

With that, he abruptly released me.

I lost my balance and staggered back two steps before steadying myself.

Derek didn't look at me again. He turned and stormed out of the villa, radiating hostility.

Less than 10 minutes after he left, my secretary called in a panic. "Ms. Marlowe, something's wrong! The independent brand we've been developing has suddenly come under coordinated attack from several investors. All our partners have withdrawn their funding, the entire supply chain has been cut off, and the project has ground to a halt!"

I stood in the vast, silent living room with the phone in my hand, my fingers cold.

There was no need to wonder. Derek had to be behind it.

He had kept his word. With a single command, he had destroyed the project into which I had poured my heart and soul.

I drew a deep breath and suppressed the ache and chill in my chest. "All right. Shut down the domestic project. Transfer every resource, team, and plan to the independent overseas company immediately."

I had personally built that overseas business empire.

It was independently operated and controlled from beginning to end, with no ties to Lockwood Group.

"And prepare divorce papers. I want them on my desk as soon as possible."

It was time for Derek and me to end things for good.