Chapter 2: Another Betrayal.

 I made the decision to go to the company just as I finished crying and I had no idea where Liam had gone.

A part of me wanted to call Claire and wash her down with insults and another part said I should forget it for now and pretended nothing ever happened.

The company.

It was my life 

The only thing my father had left behind for me. If the company was gone then I'm finishing and it was that same company that I had given Liam a larger share despite my father's warning before his death 

The company was better than a hundred Liam and Claire put together.

After what Liam had done, my thoughts were a jumbled mess and my chest was tight with lingering pain. 

I had wanted to tell him that I was pregnant and that I was expecting our first child but my husband had betrayed me so there was no need to be happy.

*I have fallen in love with someone else.*

With each repetition, his voice tore into my heart like a vicious mantra that echoed in my head and as much as I wanted it to vanish it still stayed

But I had to escape it all. 

The business provided me complete control and served as my safe haven.

 I could at least think clearly there away, from the ruins of my personal life and from Liam's selfish attitude.

I noticed a strange tension in the air as I entered the company's building. Normally cheerful and courteous, the receptionist could have smiled at me and asked if I needed a cup of coffee but today she avoided looking at me.

 As if they knew something I didn't, staff members looked at me and whispered in low voices.

 I ignored it, concentrating on getting to the boardroom where an urgent meeting had been called.

Perhaps the stress in my marriage was sensed by the staff. 

I was damn popular, maybe some neighbors could have heard Liam's argument and decided to post it online .

We weren't exactly a secret Liam and I and the thought of it made my heart miss a beat.

With every ding of the floor indicator, the dread in my chest grew during the eerie slow elevator ride.

 My confidence wavered at the sight of the boardroom as the doors opened and I strode in.

 Although there were many board members in the room, it wasn't just the full attendance that drew my eye.

 There was someone seated in my chair at the head of the table. 

Charles, my vice president, sat back with a casual air of haughtiness that made my mind race and my head spun from disbelief .

Despite the panic rising in my chest, I forced a calm voice as I asked .

"What's going on?"

 With a self-satisfied smile on his face Charles stood up and adjusted his suit.

" Ariana good morning. We have been anticipating your arrival."

 My eyes narrowed.

" Why are you waiting for me? What's this about?"

With a smooth and patronizing voice Charles gestured around the table.

" In order to discuss some disturbing issues the company had been facing,the board had decided to meet."

"I don't understand what you are saying and what you mean by disturbing issues. If there's something we have to discuss, it must be why someone had been stealing funds from the company. That's a disturbing issue."

"You are no longer the CEO of Sinclair Industries from now henceforth ." He said immediately , not even giving me a second to finish what I was saying.

It took a moment for his words to sink in. 

"What?"

Charles grinned broadly as if he relished every word as he said .

"You've removed Ariana. After voting the board has reached a unanimous decision."

 I stepped forward and shook my head. "The idea that you can simply vote me out is ridiculous. This is my company. The company of my father!"

With mock sympathy in his voice Charles corrected." It *was* your company.However let's be honest Ariana. You have been preoccupied. The board agrees that I'm more qualified for the leadership position that the company needs. More qualified than you are. "

I clenched my fists and hissed .

"You've been planning this. Have you not been plotting behind my back?"

 Not bothered by my accusation, he shrugged." I have been ensuring the survival of the company. Let's just say. I'm more adept at winning people over.And your husband is supporting me on this."

"My husband?" I asked in shock.

But no one said a word.

Glancing around the table I felt the bile rise in my throat. None of the board members looked at me.

 "How dare you all do this?"I retorted

" Now, now,"Charles said, trying to sound worried. We shouldn't take this personally.

 "It's my company." I said ."This isn't over.I will fight this."

" Go ahead and try," he said smugly. "But for the time being security will take you out. You are no longer welcome here."

Two security guards entered the boardroom as the doors opened seemingly at the same moment. 

Anger heaved in my chest as I glared at Charles.

"This is not the end." I spat.

Charles folded his hands behind his head and leaned back **in my chair. 

"Oh, Ariana it is."

There was nothing I could do but leave as the guards came closer. Despite the humiliation that was burning inside of me I kept my head up and walked through the office the whispers following me. 

 But the real blow struck as soon as I entered the lobby. 

"Ariana Sinclair?"I turned to face the voice and as I saw the police officers ,I felt sick to my stomach. 

"Yes?"

 With handcuffs in his hands the officer stepped forward and declared

" You are under arrest for attempted murder and theft."

 I gasped. "What? Something must be wrong!. "

" You have the right to remain silent,"The officer said. ignoring me. "Anything you say could and will be used against you in court."

"No! "I yelled as panic took hold of me. "You're not understanding me. I did nothing at all. "

The officer motioned for me to turn around and said .

"You can explain that at the station"

" I'm not leaving!._I objected to taking a step back. "There's a mistake here."

It didn't help though.

As I fought, the officers grabbed me and snapped the cuffs around my wrists. 

The lobby staff looked on with a mix of disbelief and sympathy. 

I was completely humiliated. 

By the time I was pushed into the back of the police vehicle, I was crying uncontrollably. 

My life was falling apart more quickly than I could keep up. 

Liam came first, followed by the company and now this. 

The journey to the station was a haze of confusion and hopelessness.

 What had I done to deserve this? Who was it that was doing this to me? 

The truth of my circumstances hit me like a ton of bricks when we got there.

 The fingerprints, mugshots and other processing were deteriorating. 

"You're making a mistake." I informed the officer who was in charge of my documentation. 

Without raising his gaze he answered.

" Everyone says that."

The life I had known was a far cry from the sterile frigid holding cell.

 I tried to make sense of it all as I sat on the hard bench and looked at the gray walls.

 I was being framed. Someone wanted me to suffer.

The image of Charles's arrogant face flashed through my mind but could he, Liam or worse be responsible for this?

 Both of them? My nails dug into my palms as I balled my fists. 

Whoever did this would be held accountable. 

I would get my revenge but I wasn't sure how or when.

 All I could do was wait for now. 

Wait and make plans because I was determined to fight my way to the end.