Chapter 3 - The Origins of Power
To understand why Julian thought he could dismiss me so easily, one must understand how our marriage began.
Ten years ago, Julian was a brilliant, ambitious middle-manager with a magnetic smile and empty pockets. I was the quiet, low-profile daughter of Arthur Pendelton's late business partner. When we married, my family's wealth remained discreetly held in private trusts.
Julian believed I was a comfortable, meek woman content with managing our home while he climbed the corporate ladder. Over a decade, I systematically funded his ventures behind the scenes, using my family's equity firm to acquire controlling shares in the very corporation he now managed.
He believed he was the king of the castle. In reality, he was merely an employee sitting in a chair I owned.
Three weeks ago, the board voted unanimously to appoint me as the global Group CEO following Arthur's retirement. I had intended to surprise Julian today—to reveal that his wife was taking over the parent company and elevating him to international director.
Instead, I had discovered that my husband had given his secretary the watch I spent fifty thousand dollars sourcing for his mother.
I arrived at our estate, took a long, hot shower, and changed into a bespoke charcoal-grey pantsuit. I pinned a small, diamond-encrusted crest to my lapel—the official seal of the Pendelton Group.
My phone chimed on the marble vanity. It was a text from Julian.
May you like
Evelyn, don't embarrass me again. Stay home today. I'll deal with your little stunt tonight.
I stared at the text, a cold, quiet smile touching my lips.
