“We can legally fire him for cause, effective immediately,” Daphne stated, tapping her pen on the desk.

“And we can also initiate serious legal action for the blatant misuse of company resources and the leaking of proprietary information.”

At exactly three in the afternoon, Human Resources formalized his immediate termination. At four, the bank restricted the shared accounts, and at five, a private courier delivered the official divorce papers, the asset inventory, and a certified copy of the house deed directly to Douglas.

They arrived at the front of the Scottsdale house just as the sky was going dark.

Douglas looked incredibly pale, his expensive business jacket wrinkled from stress.

Cynthia climbed out of the local taxi looking absolutely furious, still foolishly believing she could shout her way out of trouble.

“You are completely ruining my son’s entire life over a stupid silk dress!” she yelled from the sidewalk for the neighbors to hear.