My Husband Wants An Open Marriage (Julie and Ryan)
Open Billionaire 55

CHAPTER 055: The Hustle

Her eyes narrow, and I can see her mind working, trying to calculate, to reason her way out. The thought almost amuses me. "You think I'm just going to hand you over some video or photo of me and Ryan? Just like that?" "Oh, I don't think it. I know it. Unless, of course, you're alright with the alternative. I could always release this little masterpiece to the press. 'CEO's Mistress Caught Red-Handed. Imagine the headlines." Emily's face twists with fury. "You're insane."

"Maybe," I say, "But I'm not the one who's spent weeks playing house in the CEO's bedroom. A married man's bedroom."

She clenches her jaw, glancing sideways at James, who looks like he'd rather be anywhere else. His gaze shifts between us, and I don't miss the flare of anger in his eyes. This wasn't part of his plan either, clearly. Emily forces a smile, her eyes pleading as she speaks in a syrupy tone that would be convincing if I didn't know her so well. "Julie, come on. This is all getting out of hand. Isn't there any way we can just settle this? Move on?" "I am moving on," I say, giving her a long look. "But I need something solid to make it happen on my terms. You're either going to help me, or I'm going to release everything I have. Two days, Emily. That's all you've got." "Why are you doing this to me?"

u were

"To v

you?" I laugh. "Emily, you've done this to yourself. All that time, sneaking around, thinking you untouchable. Did you think you were too clever to ever get caught?"

"It's called hustling. Julie. I'm pretty sure that's what you did, bagging a rich boyfriend all those years ago. These rich guys don't notice poor girls like us. Not unless we throw ourselves at their faces. You've had your share of the cake. Don't be greedy. MBA from Harvard. CMO of a prestigious company, your husband's company. Now you've seen someone better, someone richer. And the hustle must continue. Congratulations to you, Julie. But don't pretend like this is more than what it is, a gold-digging-"

I raise a hand, cutting her off. "I really don't care what you think this is, Emily. And spare me the pity party. I left because you're exactly what he deserves."

"You can't blackmail me, Julie. I'm not some... some pathetic little girl who's just going to roll over."

I shrug. "What do you think Adeline would do when she sees the news? Your little share of the cake, poof. Gone. No job. No Ryan. You have two days, or the world will see what you really are. And trust me, Emily, I doubt the public will be as sympathetic as you think." She grits her teeth, breathing heavily, and I can tell she's scrambling, trying to think of some way out. But there isn't one. Not this time.

"Fine. I'll get you the evidence.

"Good," I say. "Oh, and there's one more thing, James." turn to him, noting the nervous twitch in his eye. as he meets my gaze.

"What?" His voice is quiet, almost submissive, as though he knows what's coming.

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1 need you to erase that footage of me and Luke in the company's supply closet. Don't act so shocked- that's the video you sent Emily, right?"

He shifts uncomfortably. "I didn't mean to-it wasn't it wasn't supposed to..." he trails off, lacking any explanation that would make this less pathetic.

"Save it. Get dressed. Both of you. We're going to the surveillance room right now. I want to see that video erased with my own eyes."

Emily exchanges a look with James, her face as sour as a lemon, but I don't give her any room to argue. I step back, holding the door open, and gesture for them to get moving. After a long, hesitant moment, they do, fumbling for their clothes in awkward silence, like children who've been caught stealing from the cookie jar

I wait as they button up, straighten themselves out, smooth their hair, all the while casting nervous glances my way. When they're finally dressed, I nod toward the door. "Shall we?"

Without a word, they walk ahead of me towards the room with monitors. Emily's heels click against the polished floor, sharp and fast, while James shuffles alongside her, hands jammed into his pockets. I follow, keeping my steps slow, savoring every second of their discomfort.

The surveillance room is dimly lit, cold, with walls lined with screens showing different angles of the office building. A single chair sits in front of the control panel, and I wave at James to take a seat. "Go on, then. Find the footage."

James sits down, his fingers hovering over the keyboard like he's afraid the keys might burn him. "Are sure about this?" he asks "This is against the rules."

"I'm pretty sure it's against the rules to be caught with your pants down at work," I reply, giving him a look that dates him to argue "Or would you like me to make another copy of the little scene you and Emily just performed? I'm sure someone out there would replace it... compelling."

Emily's face flushes bright red, her gaze dropping to the floor as James starts typing. It takes a few moments, but finally, he pulls up the footage. There it is on the screen, clear as day: Luke backing me up against a wall, convincing me to revive our fake relationship. Feels like a million years ago. It's crazy that I'm deleting evidence of something that never happened. But I have eyes. I can see how deceitful the footage looks from this angle.

"Erase it," I say. "Every single copy. And clear any

backups

James nods, swallowing hard as he follows my instructions, his fingers moving over the keyboard with tense precision. I watch the screen as he deletes the footage, then navigates to the backup files, erasing each one with methodical care. "Done," he says, his voice strained, his fingers still trembling on the keys.

"Good."

I turn to Emily. She's standing by the door, arms folded across her chest, her expression still bimer.

"Can I go now?" she says.

"Not quite," I say, smiling in a way that I know will set her on edge. "There's just one more little detail James sent that video to you, didn't he?"

CHAPTER 055. The Hustle

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Emily's face drains of color, and she glances at her purse, fingers clenching around the strap. "What's your point?"

"My point is, I want to see you both delete it from your phones." I cross my arms, standing firm. "Right here, right now. I'm not leaving until I'm absolutely certain there isn't a single copy left. I need to watch it happen."

James and Emily exchange a quick, silent look. Resigned, James pulls out his phone and taps through his messages, his jaw clenched as he replaces the file and deletes it. He goes into the recycle bin and deletes it there too. Then he holds up the screen, showing me that it's gone.

"Your turn, Emily."

She huffs, digging her phone out of her purse with a reluctant sigh. I watch as she replaces the message, hesitates for the briefest moment, then presses the delete button, She empties the bin too. Then she holds the phone up to me, the screen blank. "Happy now?" she asks.

"Ecstatic," I reply, unable to keep the grin from spreading across my face.

I reach into my bag and pull out the envelope that brought me into this building in the first place. I hand it to Emily with a little flourish.

She looks down at the envelope, frowning. "What's this?"

"It's a letter," I reply. "I was going to give it to Ryan myself, but since you're his loyal secretary, I figured you could deliver it for me. Could you make sure it gets to him safely?"

She takes the envelope, staring at it like it's a live grenade. "What's in it?"

"Oh, nothing you'd care about," I say, flashing her a saccharine smile. "Just make sure he gets it."

She glances down at the envelope, then back at me, her mouth set in a thin line. "You're really going to ruin everything, aren't you?"

"I think you and Ryan did a pretty good job of that all on your own." I glance at my watch, then give her a final, withering look. "Two days, Emily. Get me what I need."

If I'm being honest, I don't need whatever evidence she'll provide. It will help the case, yes. But my littler recording can work its own wonders if used correctly. But then there's the satisfaction of making sure everybody goes down for this. Every single person. Emily opens her mouth, probably to argue, but I don't give her the chance. I turn on my heel, making my way to the door with a smug expression, I've taken back the reins, and there's nothing they can do to stop

1. me.

I'm nearly out the door when I turn back, throwing them one last look, savoring the scene: Emily clutching the envelope as though it's filled with her worst secrets, and James slumped in his chair, looking defeated. "Oh, and one more thing." I add. "Tell Ryan I said hi. I'm sure he's just dying to hear from me."

With that, I stride out of the surveillance room, my heels clicking against the floor in a perfect rhythm. The grin on my face is almost impossible to contain, but I don't care. This is my moment, my victory. After CHAPTER 055. The Hustle

years of deception, lies, and betrayal, I'm finally walking out of here on my terms.