Cheated for a Decade, He Lost Billions

Im lazy. So lazy that when my husband had an affair for ten years, I couldnt be bothered to care.
After all, he and his mistress worked their tails off to take my company public, and the annual dividends were more than enough to keep me comfortable.
But then they brought their son to me. Hes starting elementary school, my husband said. That school-district house you own? You need to transfer the deed to him.
I looked at the happy little family of three standing before me, and the apathy Id cultivated for a decade vanished like smoke.
I smiled
01
I was curled up on the sofa, a wilted plant starved of sunlight.
Motes of dust danced in the slanted afternoon light. I couldnt be bothered to move, or even to turn on the air purifier. I just watched them until my eyes ached.
My phone buzzed. A notification from my bank: the annual dividend had arrived. A long string of zeros, enough to fund my laziness for another ten years. I turned off the screen, rolled over, and prepared to drift back to sleep.
The sound of a key turning in the lock came from the entryway.
Leo was home.
He brought with him the cloying, unfamiliar scent of a womans perfume.
I didnt even open my eyes. In ten years, hed worn dozens of different scents. None of them were mine. I was too lazy to ask, too lazy to fight. As long as the money hit my account, he was an adequate business partner.
Audrey, are you awake? Leos voice was sharp with impatience.
I didnt answer.
A clatter of footsteps approachedmore than one person.
Audrey, stop pretending to be asleep. Get up. I need to talk to you. His tone was that of a CEO commanding a subordinate.
I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes.
Three people stood in my living room.
Leo Morgan, my husband.
Beside him, a woman in a chic designer suit, Vivian White. His mistress of ten years, and the vice president of my company.
Between them, they held the hand of a little boy, maybe six or seven years old. The boy had Leos eyes.
What a perfect little family.
My presence felt utterly redundant.
What is it? I asked, my voice hoarse from disuse.
Vivian immediately put on an expression of concern, tinged with superiority. Audrey, darling, look at you. You havent been taking care of yourself. A woman has to know her own worth. As she spoke, she casually took slippers from the shoe cabinet for herself, then for Leo and the boy, as if she were the lady of the house.
I watched her, saying nothing.
Leo cleared his throat, a strained smile on his arrogant face. Audrey, this is Aiden. My son. He crouched down and ruffled the boys hair. Aiden, say hi to your aunt.
The boy, Aiden, glanced at me shyly before hiding behind Vivian. She wrapped an arm around him, shooting Leo a reproachful look. Youre scaring him. Hes just a child, dont force him.
A perfectly rehearsed performance.
I sneered internally, my face remaining a blank mask. I thought ten years of this had made me immune. But a fine, sharp pain, long ignored, pricked at my heart.
So? I asked.
Aiden is about to start elementary school, Leo finally got to the point, his tone taking on an air of entitlement. You know how hard it is to get into a good public school these days.
I nodded, waiting.
That old house you have on Crestwood Drive, its zoned for Northwood Elementary, right? He stood up, looking down at me as if announcing an unchallengeable decree. Transfer the deed to Aiden for now. Once hes finished sixth grade, you can have it back.
The air in the room froze.
I thought I had misheard. I looked at Leo, then at Vivian. A gentle smile played on her lips, but her eyes held a challenge, a raw, undisguised anticipation. She was waiting for me to explode, to cry and scream like a shrew, so she could play the part of the bigger person, the graceful victim.
Seeing my silence, Leo grew impatient. Audrey, did you hear me? Its for the child. Its settled.
For the child? I repeated softly, the absurdity of it all washing over me.
Yes, Vivian chimed in. Aiden is innocent. He deserves the best education. Audrey, youre such a kind person, surely you can help with this one small thing? Besides, Leo and I are working ourselves to the bone to keep the company running, so you can live this life of leisure. Its just a house. Its nothing to you, right?
Just a house.
A life of leisure.
She was using my companys money to raise her son with my husband, and now she was coming for my property.
The string in my mind labeled laziness finally snapped.
Ten years.
The year my father died, my world fell apart. The company was his lifes work, but I had no strength to manage it. Leo, my fianc at the time, and his protg, Vivian, volunteered to take over, promising to protect my inheritance. I signed the proxy ownership agreement and handed them the keys to the kingdom.
I thought I could be a silent partner forever, lazy for the rest of my life.
But a persons greed is a bottomless pit.
They had feasted on my flesh and blood to build their own strength, and now they were coming back to gnaw on my bones.
I looked at the three of them, a self-contained family unit.
I looked at Leos face, etched with the words, You owe me this.
I looked at Vivians face, which screamed, You have to do this.
I looked at the child, who shared my husbands blood, but was not mine.
A chill shot up my spine.
And I started to laugh.
As they stared at me in stunned silence, my laughter grew louder, colder. Ten years of suppression, of humiliation, of silent rage, all of it coalesced into this one, icy laugh.
Fine.
I stopped laughing and looked at Leo, enunciating each word with chilling clarity.
A flicker of triumph crossed his face. The corner of Vivians mouth twitched upwards.
But, my voice shifted, and my gaze swept over them, finally locking onto Leos startled eyes, shouldnt the shares of my company be returned to their rightful owner?
02
The temperature in the room plummeted.
The look of triumph on Leos face froze, then contorted as if hed been punched. Vivians smile hardened, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Audrey, what are you talking about? Leos voice was low, laced with a threat.
Am I not being clear enough? I stood up and walked toward them. I was taller than Vivian, and as I looked down, I could see the flicker of panic in her eyes. The company is mine. You two are just my proxies.
Are you insane? Leo snarled. Vivian and I poured ten years of our lives into this company to make it what it is today! What does it have to do with you? What have you ever done besides cash the dividend checks?
Hes right, Vivian added quickly, regaining her composure. She linked her arm through Leos, presenting a united front. Audrey, you have to be reasonable. Without us, the company would have gone bankrupt years ago. Dont you think youre being incredibly ungrateful?
I looked at them, feeling like I was watching a bad play. Two thieves, indignant that the person theyd robbed wasnt thanking them for their service.
Reasonable? I savored the word. You bring your illegitimate son into my home and demand I sign over my property to him, and you want to talk to me about being reasonable?
You! Leo was speechless, his face turning a blotchy purple.
Thats different! Vivian shrieked. Aiden is Leos son, a Morgan! As long as you hold the title of Mrs. Morgan, its your duty to think of the familys future!
The title of Mrs. Morgan? I scoffed. You seem to want it so badly. You can have it.
Vivians face went pale. She had always assumed I refused to divorce him because I was still in love with him, that I couldnt live without him. She could never understand that I was just lazy. Too lazy to go through the paperwork, to divide the assets, to face the pitying or gloating stares. Divorce was exhausting. Cashing checks from my sofa was not.
But now, they had shattered my peace.
Leo must have thought I was just throwing a tantrum. He took a deep breath, forcing a semblance of calm. Audrey, I know youre upset. Lets drop the house for now. We can talk about it later.
He reached for my hand. I stepped back, and his hand hung awkwardly in the air.
Youre tired. Get some rest. Vivian and I have to get back to the office.
He was trying to stall, assuming that, like every other time in the past ten years, I would have a fit, sleep it off, and forget everything.
Not this time.
Stop, I said, my voice cold.
Leos back stiffened.
Did you not understand what I said?
I went to my study, pulled a dusty folder from a drawer, and slapped it on the coffee table.
The proxy agreement we signed ten years ago. Its all here in black and white.
Party A: Audrey Ross. Party B: Leo Morgan, Vivian White.
You two are to hold and manage one hundred percent of the shares of Innovatech Solutions on my behalf. The ownership remains, and has always remained, solely with me.
Leos pupils constricted. He stared at the document as if it were a monster. He probably thought Id thrown it in a corner to rot years ago.
He remembered that day ten years ago. My father had just died, and I was a hollow shell of a person. He was a junior project manager, and Vivian was his intern. They stood before me, painting a grand vision for the companys future, swearing they would build on my fathers legacy.
I believed them. Or rather, I was in no state to think. I was just grabbing onto a lifeline.
So I signed.
And from that day on, they were the masters of the ship, and I was the lazy, spoiled wife who lived off her husbands hard work.
Audrey, dont push it! Leos voice trembled, no longer with anger, but with fear. That agreement is worthless! The company has gone through multiple rounds of funding, weve gone public! The ownership structure has completely changed! Do you think this is still the little workshop it was ten years ago?
Oh? I raised an eyebrow. No matter how the structure has changed, how did my one hundred percent founding equity get diluted into your names? And whose money did you use for those capital injections?
I advanced on him, my eyes like daggers. Leo, have you forgotten? After the IPO, I am still the single largest individual shareholder. Your pathetic little management incentives how much do they add up to?
Leos lips trembled. He couldnt speak. He thought I was an ignorant fool, a recluse completely disconnected from the world. He forgot that while I might be lazy, I wasnt blind. I read every single financial report. I remembered the exact amount of every single dividend.
Audrey, you cant do this! he finally broke, his mask of civility gone. The company cant function without me and Vivian! The senior executives, the project leadstheyre all my people! Do you think you can run this place by yourself? The company will collapse, and youll be left with nothing!
Dont you worry about that. I pulled open the door to the study and gestured for them to leave. Ill be at the office at nine a.m. sharp tomorrow. I expect my chairmans office to be clean.
You!
And, I looked at them, my voice sharp and clear, starting tomorrow, neither of you will set foot in that building without my permission.
Without another glance at their ashen faces, I walked into my bedroom and locked the door.
I could hear Leos furious curses and Vivians panicked attempts to calm him. I ignored them. I walked to the window and looked out at the glittering city skyline. This was the city my father had built his life in. This was the company he had left for me.
I had been asleep for ten years. It was time to wake up.
03
The next morning, I arrived at the Innovatech Solutions building right on time. The imposing glass tower still stood in the heart of the financial district, but the company logo was bigger and brighter than I remembered.
I was dressed in a simple t-shirt, jeans, and flats, with no makeup. I looked like a college student who had wandered into the wrong building.
The two young women at the reception desk were gossiping. They gave me a lazy, dismissive glance.
Do you have an appointment? one of them asked robotically.
Im here to see Leo Morgan, I said.
Mr. Morgan? She looked me up and down with open contempt. Im sorry, Mr. Morgan doesnt see anyone without an appointment.
The other one whispered to her colleague, just loud enough for me to hear, Another stray trying to claw her way up.
I ignored them. Im not here to see him, I said calmly. Im here to work.
The two of them exchanged a look and burst out laughing. Work? Honey, this is a publicly traded company, not a flea market. Youre in the wrong place.
I was about to call security when the elevator doors opened.
Vivian emerged, surrounded by a crowd of executives. She was wearing a couture power suit, her makeup flawless, her presence commanding. She was every bit the queen of this castle.
She froze when she saw me, then a flicker of triumph crossed her face. She must have thought I was here to surrender.
Audrey? What are you doing here? she asked, her tone familiar, her posture condescending. Are you looking for Leo? Hes in a meeting, he probably cant see you.
The executives behind her stared at me with curiosity. I recognized a few of them as Leos old college buddies. Their expressions were cold and guarded.
Im here to work, I repeated.
The smile on Vivians face faltered. Work? Audrey, dont be ridiculous. You dont know anything about the company. What could you possibly do here? Her words were soft, but each one was a jab. I know you were upset yesterday, but you cant be this impulsive. The company isnt a playground for you to throw a tantrum.
The VP is right, a balding, middle-aged man spoke up. He was the CFO, Mark Peterson, one of Leos most loyal cronies. Mrs. Morgan, we have everything under control. You should just stay home, relax, and wait for your dividends. Coming here will only get in our way.
A wave of suppressed laughter rippled through the group. They all saw me as a joke. A helpless, ignorant trophy wife trying to challenge the authority of the professionals.
I scanned their faces, memorizing each one.
Is that so? I said quietly. In that case, lets call a company-wide meeting.
What? Vivian thought shed misheard.
I said, I want an all-hands meeting. Now. My voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable weight. I have an announcement to make.
Vivian tried to protest, but I walked past her towards the executive elevator. A security guard moved to block my path.
My gaze was like ice. I am Audrey Ross, the majority shareholder of this company. Are you sure you want to stop me?
The guard froze, intimidated by my sudden authority.
Vivians face paled. She couldnt let me run rampant, and she couldnt let the employees see her being defied by the chairmans wife. She gritted her teeth and followed me.
Half an hour later, the companys largest conference room was packed. Most of the employees were whispering, their faces alight with curiosity. Leo sat at the head of the table, his face a thundercloud. Vivian sat beside him, looking equally grim.
I walked calmly to the other end of the table, to the chairmans seat that had been empty for ten years.
I sat down.
The room fell silent. All eyes were on me.
Leo coughed loudly, trying to reclaim control. Audrey, what is the meaning of this? Stop this nonsense. Were all very busy!
I didnt look at him. I simply picked up the microphone and tapped it lightly.
Good morning, everyone.
Many of you may not know who I am. Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Audrey Ross. I am the founder of Innovatech Solutions, and the sole legal owner of this company.
The room exploded. A wave of shocked murmurs swept through the crowd as everyones gaze darted between me, Leo, and Vivian. Werent they the founders? Who was this woman?
Silence! Leo slammed his hand on the table and shot to his feet, his face livid. She is my wife. Shes been emotionally unstable due to some family issues. Please, dont take anything she says seriously!
He was trying to paint me as crazy.
Is that so? I smiled. If you think Im being emotional, lets stick to the facts.
I looked at the CFO, Mark Peterson.
Mr. Peterson, I want to see all financial statements, audit reports, and cash flow records for all major investment projects for the past three years. Now.
The color drained from Petersons face. He looked at Leo for help.
Audrey, you dont have the authority! Leo yelled.
My authority is not for you to decide. I stood up, looking down at him. Im giving you one day to clear out my office. Starting tomorrow, I will be personally auditing all of this companys accounts.
If you fail to comply, Ill see you in court.
Without waiting for a response, I walked out of the chaotic conference room.
I didnt go back to that cold, empty house. I went straight to the chairmans office. It had once been my fathers. Now, it was decorated in Leos preferred sterile, black-and-white style. The walls were covered with photos of him and Vivian with the other executives. There wasnt a single picture of me, or of my father.
I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, the familiar city skyline stretched before me. Inside, I was surrounded by enemies.
I knew this was only the beginning. Leo and Vivian had spent ten years turning this company into their personal kingdom. I was an intruder, alone and unsupported.
But I wasnt afraid.
I sat down quietly, watching the people come and go, watching the faces that had once shown my father such deference now look at me with cold disdain.
I was watching, remembering, and planning.
The war had just begun.

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