Chapter <b>4 </b>


    After hanging up, Ipletely lost all my strength, leaning back against the headboard and staring nkly at my t stomach as tears slid down my cheeks.


    Not for River–all for the child I’d lost.


    I don’t know how long I sat there before the anesthesia kicked in and I drifted back to sleep.


    Marcus worked fast. The next morning, he showed up at my hospital room with a thick stack of documents.


    As I listened to Marcus and flipped through the materials, my hands shook uncontrobly.


    “You’ve always been focused on R&D, never really getting into the business side. River’s been embezzling from thepany


    for years.”


    “All those cutting–edge products you developed? River’s been selling them to clients way below market value. Not only that, he made it a condition that clients sign dual contracts, with most of the profits going straight into River’s pocket. The money that actually made it into thepany books wasn’t even enough to cover basic R&D costs.”


    “On top of that, River’s been buying real estate and overseas investments over the years–all under Vivian Reed’s name, so none of it counts as marital property…”


    Marcus kept talking, but my head was buzzing.


    No wonder! No wonder!


    Winston Group had always been Houston’s leading electronics R&Dpany, but during the three years River ran things, he kept telling me that the products I developed weren’t selling, that hardly any clients were biting.


    Even when we did make sales, the prices were terrible–we were basically operating at a loss, which was why thepany kept hemorrhaging money and needed bank loans to stay afloat.


    For three years, River and I had a solid rtionship, and he was always workingte at the office, so I never suspected him. I thought it was my fault–that I wasn’t developing products the market wanted.


    Turns out River had been sabotaging everything from the inside!


    Marcus was still talking when I raised my hand to cut him off.


    “Besides thepany stuff, I need you to dig into this Vivian Reed too.”


    Marcus looked equally puzzled. <fn1509> The source of th?s content is Find[?]ovel</fn1509>


    “I was just about to ask you–who is this Vivian Reed? Why are all of River’s private assets under her name?”


    Struggling to contain my fury, I forwarded that folder from my email to Marcus.


    Over the next few days, Marcus continued investigating River while I recovered in the hospital, preparing for the battle ahead.


    River tried visiting me several times, but Winston family security kept him out–he never got to see me once.


    A weekter, as Marcus and I were packing my discharge papers, we saw a news report on the hospital room TV.


    It was a press conference River had called with thepany shareholders.


    He held up some documents, his face full of fake anguish.


    “As everyone knows, my wife Maya Winston hasn’t been involved inpany operations these past years. We imed she was focused on product development<b>, </b>but the truth is she’s been suffering from severe mental health issues. Last week, after an ident that caused her to miscarry, she suffered an unprecedented breakdown.”


    “What I’m holding here is her psychiatric evaluation. Starting today, as Maya’s husband, I’ll be handling allpany matters


    on her behalf.”


    His voice cracked as he continued.


    “I’m sure the board understands that thepany is facing serious financial problems, but don’t worry–I’ll lead us through


    this crisis.”


    “I’ve already applied for a bank loan. Once the fundse through, I’m confident thepany can bounce back quickly! Winston Group is Maya’s everything, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect thepany and everyone’s interests!”


    The moment River finished, the board members looked at him with admiration, and thunderous apuse erupted from the audience.


    Watching him perform with such apparent sincerity, I clenched my fists so tight my knuckles went white, staring daggers at that so–called psychiatric evaluation in River’s hands.


    The bastard had some nerve!


    To steal mypany, he’d actually forged medical documents!


    I looked at Marcus, my voice ice cold.


    “Change of ns. We’re not going home–we’re going straight to the office.”


    “I’m going to make River spit up every single thing he’s stolen from me!”