**Chapter 21** The night was long and agonizing, a relentless stretch of time that seemed to consume Avery whole. When dawn finally broke, she succumbed to exhaustion, her body collapsing in a sleep so deep it was as if the world had faded away. As the sun climbed higher, Elliot made his usual entrance into the Sterling Group around ten in the morning, each step echoing the gravity of his thoughts. The air in his office was thick with anticipation as Ben, his right-hand man, strode in, a file clutched tightly in his hands. “I swung by Twilight last night hoping to catch you,” Ben began, a hint of disappointment in his voice. “Did you and Avery Tate leave early?” Elliot raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not completely surprised. “That’s the reason you’re here? To inquire about my whereabouts?” Ben let out a bitter laugh, placing the file on Elliot’s desk with a soft thud. “This is the financial report for Tate Industries over the past few years. It’s not good, Elliot. They’re in some serious trouble.” Elliot leaned forward slightly, curiosity morphing into concern as he studied Ben’s face. There was a pause, a weight hanging in the air before Ben continued, “Their finance director embezzled at least three hundred million dollars. I heard he’s actually Jack Tate’s brother-in-law.” A flicker of alarm passed through Elliot's eyes. If Ben’s revelations held any truth, Tate Industries’ impending bankruptcy was far more complex than a mere product launch gone wrong. Ben sighed, his expression a mix of pity and irony. “Here’s a lesson for all of us, my friend. We need to be astute when choosing our partners. If Jack Tate hadn’t strayed with Wanda back in the day, the Tates might not find themselves in this mess.” Elliot's expression darkened, his frustration palpable. “This just supports the idea that women are more of a hindrance than a help when it comes to success.” Ben, not quite ready to let Elliot off the hook, quipped, “Sounds like you’re quite set on divorcing Avery Tate. What’s your timeline? Are we planning a party to celebrate your new single status?” Elliot’s eyebrow twitched, irritation flashing across his features. “Shouldn’t you be focusing on your work instead of indulging in idle chatter?” In a sudden burst of movement, Ben shot up from his seat, clearing his throat with a mock seriousness before heading for the door. “Right, I’ll leave you to your glaring work. But just a friendly heads-up: that bruise on your neck? If I didn’t know any better, I’d assume a cat got into a fight with you. Seems like you had quite the passionate night!” “Get out!” Elliot’s voice was gravelly, tinged with a mix of embarrassment and anger. Ben wasted no time in exiting, the door closing firmly behind him. Silence enveloped the room for a brief moment before another knock shattered it, quick and urgent. “Are you busy, Elliot?” Chelsea’s voice drifted in, followed by the soft click of the door shutting behind her. “I need to discuss something outside of work.” Casting a glance at the torrent of emails accumulating in his inbox, Elliot replied tersely, “I’m busy at the moment. Non-work matters can wait until later.” Chelsea paused, a flash of hurt flickering across her features before she persevered, moving to his desk with determination. “No, this is important. I need to tell you now.” She handed him a file, her anxious energy rippling through the air. “You’ll want to see this; I guarantee it will shock you.” As she settled into the chair opposite him, her gaze was immediately drawn to the bruising mark on his neck. Her heart sank, and jealousy coiled tightly around her, almost suffocating. “Did you sleep with Avery Tate last night?” The tremor in her voice betrayed her. “Elliot, she’s not worth your sincerity!” “Enough!” Elliot’s voice was sharp, the weight of his impatience evident as his brows knitted tightly. “My relationship with her is none of your concern!” As he snapped the file open, his attention diverted to the documents within, he barely registered Chelsea's reaction. **Maternal Health File** *Name: Avery Tate* *Sex: Female* *Gestational Age: 12 Weeks* A throbbing pulse of rage ignited in Elliot’s temple as he read. The chill in his demeanor deepened, anger swirling fiercely within him. He bit down on the chaos in his heart and continued to read on. *Father: Cole Foster.* With a ferocity sparked by betrayal, Elliot hurled the file onto his desk, the papers scattering like fallen leaves. Avery was pregnant, and the father—the very man who had derailed his life—was Cole. The revelation reverberated in his mind, the implications crafting a tempest of fury that threatened to overwhelm him entirely.