William looked as though lightning had struck him where he stood. He stared at me, disbelief cracking his composure wide open. "You... you're really YZ's executive director? Then these past five years..."
"These past five years were nothing more than me playing house with you." I hurled a thick stack of documents into his face. "Effective immediately, YZ Medical Consortium is revoking all patent authorizations to the Stephens Group and pulling every cent of investment. William, your IPO dream is over."
William's entire body trembled. The color drained from his face until he was white as paper.
The realization of what he'd lost hit him all at once. He lunged forward, grabbing for my hand. "Seraphina! Listen to me, let me explain. I didn't know. I didn't know it was you! I love you. I was deceived—"
"Deceived?" I let out a cold laugh. I was about to expose the truth about Alma's staged car accident when a vicious pain tore through my abdomen.
"Ngh..." A strangled groan escaped my lips. My knees buckled, and I nearly collapsed to the floor.
"Miss Ashford!" Quinn caught me in his arms before I hit the ground, his face going ghost-white in an instant.