Julian: Where is the CEO?
Receptionist: Sir, you can't just barge in here. Your keycard has been deactivated.
Julian: I am Julian Sterling! My name is on the front of this building!
Receptionist: Please step back, or I will call security.
Julian: Call them! I want to see the person who claims they own my company!
Julian pushed past the desk and marched down the glass hallway toward the executive boardroom.
He shoved the heavy doors open, ready to scream.
Julian: Who the hell do you think you are?
The high-backed leather chair slowly spun around.
Claire: Hello, Julian. I hope traffic wasn't too bad.
Julian: Claire? What are you doing sitting there?
Claire: I am working. Something you haven't done in years.
Julian: Get out of that chair right now. Where is the owner of Apex Holdings?
Claire: You are looking at her.
Julian froze. The anger on his face slowly morphed into utter confusion.
Julian: That's impossible. You don't have that kind of money.
Claire: I sold my software startup five years ago for three hundred million dollars. I kept it quiet.
Julian: You lied to me? For our entire marriage?
Claire: I didn't lie. You just never asked about my career. You were too busy spending your father's ghost money.
Julian: My father was a billionaire.
Claire: Your father was a terrible businessman. When he died, you inherited nothing but bad loans and unpaid taxes.
Julian: No. No, that can't be true.
Claire: I bought the company's debt because I loved you. I wanted to protect your family's legacy. I funded the trust account myself.
Julian: You paid for everything?
Claire: The mansion, the private jet, your mother's ridiculous allowance. All of it came from my bank account.
Julian: Why didn't you just tell me?
Claire: Because of how you treat people who have less power than you. I saw it last night.
Julian: Claire, I was stressed last night. My mother was upset.
Claire: You pushed me to the ground and told me I was nothing without your family name.
Julian: I didn't mean it! I was just angry.
Claire: And now I am angry. I told you to remember every word you said to me.