The Lock That Had My Husband’s Name And Hers Chapter 10

Two weeks later, Vantrel Systems held its third-anniversary celebration and Series A investor Reception at the Halcyon Grand.

The ballroom glowed beneath crystal lights as investors and business partners mingled over

drinks.

Thayer stood onstage in a custom-tailored suit.

He looked thinner than before, but he still carried himself like the polished, successful founder

everyone expected him to be.

“Thank you to all our investors and partners for supporting us over the past three years.”

He raised his champagne glass.

“These past three years have given me more than a successful company. I also owe everything to the family that has stood quietly behind me…”

He was still up there playing the devoted husband.

From the audience, I checked my watch and gave my attorney a small nod.

My attorney walked over to the control booth and handed the technician a flash drive.

Thayer continued speaking onstage.

“And now, I’d like to show you a short presentation about Vantrel Systems’ future.”

The large screen behind him slowly lit up.

But instead of a polished corporate vision, enlarged bank records appeared across the screen.

Transfer to Delaney Firth: $7,500

Memo: Happy holidays, baby.

Then another.

Transfer to Delaney Firth: $400,000+

Memo: Lakecroft District condo down payment.

Next came photos from the chapel in Ireland.

Thayer kissing Delaney. The silver ring. And the ceremonial marriage certificate he had arranged

for them.

The quiet ballroom erupted.

Glasses lowered. People began whispering and pointing as the noise spread through the room.

Thayer turned toward the screen.

The moment he realized what was showing, all the color drained from his face.

“Turn it off!”

He shouted toward the control booth in panic.

“Turn it off right now! Who put this up there?”

He waved frantically from the stage, making a spectacle of himself.

Then the ballroom doors opened.

I stepped inside in a sharp black coat and heels, my attorney beside me. Delaney followed behind us carrying a thick stack of documents.

The spotlight shifted toward us.

When Thayer saw me, his legs nearly gave out beneath him.

“Blythe… have you lost your mind? Are you trying to destroy my company?”

I stopped in front of the stage and looked up at him.

“You did that yourself.”

My attorney stepped forward and handed him the divorce papers along with a court order.

“Mr. Langford, there is evidence that substantial marital assets may have been transferred during the marriage.”

“Ms. Keating has obtained temporary restrictions preventing the disputed funds and equity holdings from being moved while the matter is being resolved.”

My attorney placed the divorce agreement in front of him.

“This is Ms. Keating’s proposed settlement.”

Thayer stared down at the papers. Whatever composure he had left finally broke.

He lunged toward me, but security stopped him before he could reach me.

“Bly, please.”

His voice cracked.

“Please don’t take everything from me.”

“can’t lose the company.”

At the edge of the crowd, Cambria quietly started moving toward the exit.

Delaney spotted her immediately.

She hurried over, caught Cambria by the collar, and pulled her back into the center of the broom.

“Where are you going, Cambria?”

Delaney took the microphone. Her voice carried through the entire room.

“This is Cambria Crowell.”

“Thayer’s loyal employee and Blythe’s best friend of ten years.”

“She personally helped her boss get together with another woman, then lied to both of us to keep it

going.”

Delaney looked around the ballroom.

“If you do business with someone like that, be careful. She’ll sell you out and somehow make you

thank her for it.”

Cambria covered her face.

Under the weight of everyone’s stares and whispers, she sank down and started crying.

I didn’t look at Thayer, who was breaking down onstage.

I didn’t look at Cambria either.

I took the pen from my attorney and pressed it into Thayer’s trembling hand.

“Sign it.”

“Everyone has better things to do.”

His hand shook as he signed his name.

I took the agreement back.

Then I turned and walked toward the doors.

Delaney caught up with me and fell into step beside me.

We pushed open the heavy hotel doors.

Outside, the late-fall sunlight was cold but brilliantly clear.

Delaney looked at me, her eyes curving with a smile.

“You know, Blythe?”

“You look way better right now than that limited-edition husband’ I used to brag about.

For the first time, I smiled without forcing it.

“Really?”

The wind brushed past us.

“I think so too.”