It was 8:00 PM, and I was about to authorize the final installment on a limited-edition timepiece in my virtual cart, only for the transaction to flash red: "Declined." Before I could even process what was happening, my phone buzzed with an incoming call from Connor, the newly appointed Chief Financial Officer—hired by my wife, Meredith. "Hey, Wesley. Just letting you know I suspended your corporate card," Connor said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Meredith asked me to tighten the leash on all personal expenditures." "Honestly, you're at home doing chores. You don't have clients to impress or deals to close. Why on earth do you need a fifty-thousand-dollar watch?" "I actually just ordered you a kids' smartwatch on Amazon. Fifteen bucks. It’s got a step counter and everything. Perfect for you." He hung up. A second later, a text popped up with a screenshot of the order confirmation. The delivery note read: "Moisturizer for Wesley." It was so absurd it was almost funny. Then came another text: "Make sure to clear any future purchases with me first!" The sheer audacity. I was spending my own money, and I was expected to clear it with an outsider? He was using my wealth to lecture me on frugality. Without a word, I forwarded the screenshot straight to Meredith. "Fire this Connor guy before the end of the day. Or tomorrow, I’ll have you packed up and sent back to shoveling manure in Idaho." … "Wow, Wesley. Going straight to the boss to complain? Really?" When my phone rang again, it was Connor, his voice carrying a cold, mocking chuckle. "Why do you have Meredith's phone?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the heat rising in my chest. "Put her on." "Meredith is in a closed-door meeting," Connor said, his tone thick with unearned superiority. "She’s currently working her tail off to secure our next eight-figure deal. She doesn't have time for your tantrums." "She’s out there earning the millions while you’re at home living the dream. Aren't you satisfied?" "Unfreeze my card, Connor. Now." "Sorry, pal. Can't do that." Connor scoffed. "Meredith’s personal accounts, corporate accounts—they’re all under my management now. Oh, by the way? I canceled your golf club membership and your private gym pass. Refunded them right back into the company’s operating capital. And that housekeeper you have? Fifteen grand a month is absurdly lavish. She’s been let go." I froze. I could hear the blood rushing in my ears. Who the hell did Connor think he was, coming into my life and dictating terms? "Who gave you the authority to interfere in my private life?" "Meredith did, obviously." Connor sounded entirely self-righteous. "The company is in a hyper-growth phase. Every dollar counts. Your extravagant spending habits have to go. I'm not just monitoring the corporate accounts; I’m supervising you. From now on, any grocery runs require physical receipts brought directly to my office. Anything over a hundred bucks won't be approved." He didn't even give me a chance to respond. "Wesley, Meredith is a self-made, brilliant CEO. She's worth nine figures. There are plenty of young, highly educated, ambitious men waiting in line for a shot at her. The only reason you're still holding onto the title of her husband is because she's a sentimental woman." He hung up. When I tried calling back, it went straight to voicemail. Blocked. My hands were shaking. I was about to call my driver to head to the office when the front door swung open. Martha, our housekeeper, was standing in the foyer. Her eyes were red, and she was clutching a single suitcase. "Mr. Pendleton," Martha said, her voice trembling. "That new CFO called. He told me to pack my things and get out immediately. He said if I stayed, he’d have me arrested for trespassing. Did... did I do something wrong?" Seeing Martha cry broke something inside me. "You did nothing wrong, Martha. Put your bag down. No one is kicking you out of this house." I dialed Meredith's personal cell. Turned off. Perfect. Beautifully done, Meredith. You're so desperate to play the role of the ruthless female tech tycoon that you've handed over the keys to a complete stranger. Suddenly, my phone vibrated. It was the Presbyterian Hospital downtown. "Mr. Pendleton? We’re calling regarding your father's VIP oncology suite. The automated payment failed today. If the balance isn't settled by tomorrow morning, we'll have to suspend his targeted therapy. Please come down and resolve this as soon as possible." My heart dropped. My dad was diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer two weeks ago and was scheduled for surgery. His medical bills were tied directly to our family trust account. How could it possibly fail? "I'll be right there." I sped all the way to the hospital's private wing. As I approached my dad’s VIP suite, I saw nurses wheeling his bed out into the hallway. Connor was standing there, arms crossed, barking orders at the orderly team. "Hurry it up. A VIP suite costs thousands a day. It's a complete waste of company resources. Move him to a standard six-person ward. He won't die from sharing a room." The blood in my veins turned to ice. I charged forward and shoved Connor backward. "What the hell do you think you're doing? Who gave you permission to touch my father?" Connor stumbled, catching himself against the wall. He glared at me with pure disgust. "Wesley, I just did a deep dive into the company books. Do you know how much cash is being funneled to this hospital every month? Your father is occupying a luxury VIP suite and using top-tier imported experimental drugs. You're literally bleeding Meredith dry!" My fists clenched so hard my knuckles turned white. "Connor, that is a private family account specifically set up for my father's care!" "You don't earn a single penny. It's all Meredith's money anyway," Connor sneered, rolling his eyes. "I’ve frozen that account. Meredith said the company is launching a new project and liquidity is tight. All non-essential expenses are cut. Period." The head nurse looked at me apologetically. "Mr. Pendleton, if the account isn't funded, our hands are tied..." "If you don't have the money, go to the general ward!" Connor raised his voice, making sure everyone in the corridor could hear. "You're taking Meredith's hard-earned cash and throwing it away on luxury healthcare? For an old man, basic insurance-covered medicine is fine. Spending tens of thousands on imported shots is just pure selfishness!" "I've already downgraded him. A bed in a six-room ward is only fifty bucks a night. Much more appropriate for his station." My father was trembling with anger, clutching my hand. "Wes..." "Dad, don't say a word. I've got this." I squeezed his hand, then turned a murderous gaze onto Connor. "Connor, you're playing with my father's life." "Oh, come on, Wesley. Don't play the victim card with me. If your family can't afford treatment, that's your problem. Don't try to guilt-trip Meredith." Connor pulled out a crumpled wad of cash from his designer briefcase and tosses it at my feet. "Here's five hundred bucks from my own pocket. Go buy the old man some vitamins. Stop leeching off your wife. A parasite should know its place." Whispers broke out among the onlookers in the hallway. "So he's just a trophy husband spending her cash..." "How shameless. His wife works so hard, and he’s out here demanding VIP rooms." "That executive is so responsible. Saving the company money." Connor basked in the murmurs, a smug grin plastered across his face. He pulled out his phone and started recording a video of my dad and me. "I'm going to send this to Meredith. Let her see how entitled you really are. Once she realizes what a drag you are on her life, she’ll kick you to the curb where you belong." I looked at him, my voice dangerously calm. "Remember this moment, Connor. Remember every single word you just said." I turned to the head nurse. "Put my father back in the VIP suite. The bills will be paid in full tomorrow morning." I instructed the orderlies to wheel my dad back. Connor, seeing himself ignored, stomped his foot in frustration. "Wesley Pendleton! You just wait!" The next morning, I took a cab straight to the Aegis Group headquarters. The moment the elevator doors opened on the penthouse floor, two burly security guards blocked my path. "This is the executive wing. No visitors without an appointment." I looked at them. Fresh faces. "I'm Wesley Pendleton. Step aside." "Mr. Connor gave strict orders. We have an important board meeting today. No unauthorized personnel allowed." Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. Connor emerged, surrounded by an entourage of department managers. He spotted me, and a sarcastic smirk spread across his face. "Well, well. Look who it is. Our resident house-husband who only knows how to swipe credit cards." The managers chuckled in unison. "Mr. Connor, who is this?" a newly hired receptionist asked mockingly. "This is Meredith's useless husband," Connor announced loudly. "The guy who tried to blow fifty grand on a luxury watch two nights ago. A total deadweight." He walked over to me, looking down his nose. "Wesley, if you came here to beg Meredith to unfreeze your cards, save your breath. The company's financial reins are entirely in my hands now. In this building, what I say goes." "What you say goes?" I let out a dry, humorless laugh, looking around at the spectators. "Do all of you believe he's the one in charge here?" "Obviously," the receptionist scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Mr. Connor is Mrs. Pendleton’s right-hand man. He’s saved this company millions. Who do you think you are, coming in here and causing a scene?" Connor smugly adjusted his tie and turned to the guards. "What are you waiting for? Meredith is about to arrive with our major clients for an inspection. Throw this trash out of here. Don't let him ruin the company's image." The two guards grabbed my shoulders, aggressively dragging me toward the elevator. "Get your hands off me!" I struggled, but my physical strength was no match for two trained security guards. "Face reality, Wesley," Connor called out behind me, his voice dripping with malice. "Meredith is sick of you. You're completely useless. You think you're still the powerful husband of a high-flying CEO? In this company, Meredith is god. And I am her prophet." The staff watched me get manhandled, murmuring and snickering under their breath. "Look at him, the spoiled husband. How pathetic." "Meredith is so brilliant. How did she end up with a loser like this?" "Mr. Connor is so capable. Honestly, they look like a much better match." Suddenly, the chime of the private executive elevator rang out. A group of men in bespoke suits stepped out. Leading them was Meredith, who had been missing in action for thirty-six hours. "What is going on here? Why is there so much noise?" Meredith demanded, her voice sharp and authoritative. Connor's arrogant demeanor instantly vanished. He put on a victimized, trembling expression and ran to Meredith's side. "Meredith, thank goodness you're here!" Connor's eyes welled up with fake tears. "Wesley... he came here to make a scene. All I did was try to save the company some money by canceling his luxury cards, and he came barging in, screaming, threatening me, and trying to lay hands on me." "I was worried he’d ruin the meeting with your VIP clients, so I had security escort him out." Meredith's face darkened. She stepped through the crowd and stood in front of me. Looking at my disheveled state, there was no sympathy in her eyes. Only cold, deep-seated embarrassment and disdain. "Wesley, have you lost your mind?" she snapped. "It's one thing to throw tantrums at home, but bringing your drama to my office? Connor is a highly sought-after CFO whom I personally recruited. He froze your accounts under my direct authorization!" I looked at the woman I’ve shared a bed with for five years. A wave of nausea washed over me. "Meredith, is this really how you want to play this?" I ask quietly. "He cut off my father's cancer treatment. He fired Martha. Were you aware of that?" Meredith didn't even flinch. "The company is at a critical juncture! We need every ounce of liquidity we can get! Connor is doing his job. He’s trimmed millions in waste!" "Instead of reflecting on your own uselessness, you come here to bully my CFO? Apologize to Connor. Now!" Connor stood behind Meredith, a victorious, sneering smirk playing on his lips. His eyes were filled with smug triumph. Seeing their boss take a stand, the surrounding employees immediately chimed in. "The husband is so incredibly selfish. He has no idea how hard Meredith works." "Exactly. He needs to apologize to Mr. Connor and stop embarrassing himself." Meredith assumed my silence was fear. She scoffed. "Wesley, I’m warning you. Apologize to Connor right now and go home. Otherwise, don't expect another dime of allowance from me." I felt a laugh bubbling up from my chest. It started as a chuckle and turned into a full laugh. I shook off the guards’ grip and stood tall. "Meredith, have you sat in that throne for so long that you actually believe it belongs to you?" Meredith blinked, momentarily taken aback. "What nonsense are you spouting? Have you gone mad?" "Who's mad? You're about to find out." I pulled out my phone and dialed a direct line. "Mr. Adler. Bring the legal and audit teams up to the penthouse floor. Now." I hung up. Within thirty seconds, the doors to the private express elevator slid open with a heavy thud. Mr. Adler, the company's second-largest shareholder, stepped out, flanked by a team of stone-faced corporate lawyers and forensic auditors. Meredith’s expression shifted. "Mr. Adler? What is the meaning of this? I didn't call a board meeting today." Mr. Adler completely ignored her. He walked straight past her, stopped in front of me, and bowed deeply. "The entire team is here, Mr. Pendleton. We await your instructions." The entire floor fell into a suffocating, dead silence. Every jaw in the room dropped in sheer, unadulterated shock.
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