Just as I was about to stand up, a new notification popped up on the screen. Jason had transferred an additional $200,000 from the company account to Chloe's personal account. The memo for the transfer read vitamin supplements. How brazen, I thought. I shut down the computer with an icy smile.

When I got home that evening, the living room was full of laughter. My entire set of in-laws along with Chloe were sitting around the dining table. In the center was a massive cake. Valerie, you're finally here. My mother-in-law, Phyllis, smiled at me, a rare occurrence.

Come quick. We're celebrating that Chloe is officially 3 months pregnant. The doctor says the baby is very healthy and that it's definitely a boy. I noticed that Chloe was wearing another diamond ring on her finger. It was the 1 karat Tiffany engagement ring Jason had given me when we got married.

Now it was sparkling on Chloe's finger under the chandelier. Congratulations. I set my bag down and pretended not to see the ring. I'm going to go change. Don't go, sister-in-law.

Chloe's syrupy voice gave me chills. Today is a day of celebration for the whole family. Come cut the cake with us. My sister-in-law, Betty, chimed in. Yeah, Valerie, don't ruin the party.

Anyway, when Chloe's son is born, you'll have to be like his second mother. I stood still, feeling eight pairs of eyes fixed on me. They wanted to see me break down, get furious. They wanted me to show them I was a hysterical wife, blinded by jealousy. Only then could they continue their ridiculous comedy with a clear conscience.

All right. I smiled and walked over to the table. But first, let me wash my hands. As I walked past Chloe, I accidentally knocked over her glass of juice. The red liquid spilled all over her white dress, spreading instantly.

"Oh, my dress!" Chloe screamed. "Oh, I am so sorry." My hand slipped. I held up my hands innocently.

"But don't worry, that dress is only $2,000. Ask Jason to buy you a new one. He's a very generous man capable of dropping a half million dollar down payment on a penthouse without blinking." Silence took over the table. Jason's face turned as white as wax.

My mother-in-law whipped her head around to glare at her son. "What? Half a million dollars?" Chloe, nervous, tried to make excuses. "Phyllis, it's not what, it's just that I noticed over $800,000 has left the company accounts," I said calmly.

"But it's fine. After all, half the company shares belong to Jason. He can spend his money however he likes." With that, I headed to my bedroom. Behind my back, I could hear my mother-in-law's hysterical questioning and Chloe's sobbing excuses.

I locked the door and leaning against it, let out the tears I had been holding back all day. But I only cried for a minute. I wiped my tears and checked my phone. I had a message from Sarah. Got it.

Your competition is a piece of work. She was seeing three men at the same time. One is Jason. Another is Alex Vance, the youngest son of the Vance group, and the third is Mr. Sterling, one of your company's shareholders.

The text included screenshots from the hotel's security cameras. They showed Chloe looking very affectionate with three different men. Without realizing it, a smile formed on my face. This greedy, stupid woman had no idea she was walking straight toward her own destruction, and my job was simply to watch in silence as she put the noose around her own neck.

Early the next morning, an email arrived from Monica in Switzerland. Everything is set. We can start whenever you want. I've put you in touch with a private banker in Geneva. He's completely trustworthy.

I replied, "I'll be there next week under the pretense of a corporate financial seminar. Before that, I need a favor. Find out what Swiss law says about asset tracking after a divorce." I closed the laptop and looked out the window. The city lights were still shining, and in my heart, an even brighter light had ignited.

It was the light of freedom. Valerie, here is your boarding pass. My secretary, David, handed me my briefcase. Your transportation in Switzerland is all confirmed. Professor Hans from the University of Zurich will pick you up personally at the airport.

I nodded and checked my luggage one last time. I had planned this business trip 3 weeks ago right after that surreal family gathering. Officially, I was going to participate in a seminar on international financial standards. In reality, it was the first step of my revenge plan. David, I'm leaving you in charge of the company, I said.

He was one of the few people I could trust. Above all, the financial reports must only be published after I have personally reviewed them. Understood. David hesitated for a moment. "Valerie, Jason approved another $200,000 in entertainment expenses yesterday," David said.

They were processed through a special expense account. I gave a slight smile. Approve it and make sure all the accounting ledgers are recorded clearly, I added, seeing his confused expression. And save all the receipts and vouchers. The more detailed the better.

As the plane took off, I felt a strange sense of liberation, watching the city skyline shrink away. This city where I had lived for over 30 years, this house I thought would be my forever home. It was now suffocating me. 10 hours later, the plane landed in Zurich. Monica, my college friend, was waiting for me as promised.

As soon as she saw me, she gave me a tight hug. "I have everything ready," she whispered in my ear. "The bank manager tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., the real estate agent at 2:00 p.m. What you asked for is all in here." She handed me an envelope.

In my hotel room, I opened the envelope. It contained a comprehensive background check on Chloe. She wasn't a simple receptionist, but a high-end intermediary specializing in wealthy elites. Her real name was Crystal. She was 26 and had three prior arrests for fraud.