Chapter 3 — The Lunch That Changed Everything
Meanwhile...
Jasper raised a glass of champagne inside one of the city's most exclusive restaurants.
His mother laughed proudly.
"I always knew my son would become someone important."
Priscilla grinned.
"Give it another year."
"You'll be richer than half the CEOs in this city."
Jasper smiled confidently.
"My investors trust me."
"They know I'm the future."
Just then...
His phone vibrated.
One email.
Then another.
Then twelve more.
His smile faded.
"What?"
Priscilla leaned closer.
"What's wrong?"
Jasper opened the first message.
Funding Suspended.
The second.
Board Meeting Effective Immediately.
The third.
Pending Partnership Withdrawn.
His hands began to shake.
Within fifteen minutes...
Every major investor had either frozen funding or demanded immediate audits.
His chief financial officer called.
"Jasper..."
"We've got a serious problem."
"Three banks suspended our credit line."
"Our biggest client canceled."
"And every investor keeps asking the same question."
"What question?"
The silence lasted only a second.
"They're asking whether you've separated from Hailey Robertson."
Jasper frowned.
"What does my wife have to do with any of this?"
No one answered.
Across the table, Gillian suddenly looked uneasy.
"Robertson?"
"That name sounds familiar."
Before Jasper could respond, another notification appeared.
Emergency Board Vote Scheduled — 4:00 PM.
He stood so quickly his chair crashed onto the floor.
"I have to go."
His family followed him outside.
As he reached the parking lot, he noticed something strange.
His luxury SUV was gone.
A tow truck was driving away with it.
He ran toward the driver.
"That's my vehicle!"
The driver checked a document.
"No, sir."
"It's registered to Mrs. Hailey Robertson."
"Ownership has been reclaimed."
For the first time in years...
May you like
Jasper felt something dangerously unfamiliar.
Fear.
