Chapter 3

"I need you to cook the books a little. Create a highly realistic, fake legal document showing that my company’s capital chain has collapsed, and I'm facing an eighty-million-dollar lawsuit for breach of contract. Make it look as real as possible."

Blake paused on the other end of the line.

"Ethan, you're playing this big? Can your wife handle that kind of shock?"

"Just do it."

After hanging up, I drove home.

I gathered all the valuable watches, gold bars, and luxury goods from our safe and quietly moved them to Blake's place.

The next evening, I sat in the dark living room. My hair was a messy nest, my tie was torn open, and several forged debt collection notices and lawyer letters were scattered across the coffee table.

The front door unlocked. Chloe walked in carrying several shopping bags, with Julian following closely behind.

Seeing the state I was in, Chloe froze.

"Babe? What's wrong?"

I lifted my head, my eyes bloodshot.

"The company is ruined."

I pushed the lawyer letters to the edge of the table.

"The project we signed last month... the partner company defaulted and fled the country. As the guarantor, I'm personally liable for the entire debt."

"How much are we talking about?" Julian chimed in.

"Eighty million dollars."

The shopping bags slipped from Chloe's hands, clattering onto the floor.

"Eighty million?! Are you insane?! Where are we supposed to get that kind of money?!"

I buried my face in my hands.

"The house, the cars, and all the bank accounts under my name... the court is going to freeze everything tomorrow."

"Chloe, I'm so sorry. I ruined us."

Chloe's face went completely pale, and she instinctively took two steps back.

Julian grabbed her shoulders to steady her, his eyes darting around quickly.

"Ethan, this is no joke. Chloe is pregnant. She can't handle this kind of stress."

I looked up at them helplessly.

"I know. That's why I'm planning to sell the house first to raise some cash."

"No!" Chloe screamed.

"Ethan, this is our dream home! If we sell it, where are we going to live? Where is the baby going to go?"

I sighed.

"If we don't sell it, the court will seize and auction it anyway. We’ll end up on the street either way."

Julian cleared his throat and spoke up.

"Ethan, actually, I have an idea."

I looked at him.

"You guys should get a divorce first," Julian said smoothly, sounding completely righteous.

"Transfer the deed of this house and whatever cash is left entirely to Chloe's name. It's called asset protection."

"Once you settle your business debts, you guys can just remarry. That way, you save the house and protect the baby."

Chloe nodded frantically.

"Yes! Yes! Babe, Julian is right. Let's do a quick divorce."

She rushed to my side, kneeling down to grab my hand.

"I'm not doing this for myself, Ethan. It's for you and the baby. I can't let our child be born into eighty million dollars of debt!"

Looking at her calculating face, my heart was ice cold.

"But a divorce takes time to process. The paperwork usually takes weeks."

Julian smirked.

"Don't worry about that. I have a connection—a family friend who works as a clerk at the family court. I can get him to fast-track the uncontested paperwork. We can get the divorce decree finalized by tomorrow morning."

I lowered my head to hide the dark amusement in my eyes.

"Alright. Let's do it your way."

The next morning, we met at the family court.

Julian’s connection indeed worked fast.

In less than an hour, the divorce decree was signed and stamped.

Chloe quickly stuffed the divorce papers into her designer purse, letting out a long, ecstatic breath.

"Ethan, hang in there for a while. Don't worry, I’ll take care of myself and the baby."

I looked at her calmly.

"The house is yours. The debts are mine. Take care of yourself."

Chloe's eyes squeezed out a few fake tears.

"Don't talk like that. This is just a temporary setup. Once you get back on your feet, I’ll bring our baby right back to you."

Julian checked his watch and urged her.

"Chloe, we need to go. Your prenatal checkup is scheduled in thirty minutes."

Chloe turned back to me.

"Babe, I'm going to the clinic now. Take care of your health."

With that, she turned and hopped into Julian’s car.

I stood on the curb, watching the car disappear into the traffic.

I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Blake.

[The papers are signed. Restore the company accounts to normal.]

Blake replied instantly.

[Congrats on escaping the trap, brother. Drinks tonight?]

[Some other time. I have to move my stuff out first.]