My husband put me out and kept all my assets just to hand them over to his mistress. All I have left is a worn-out debit card my father left me. I thought the balance was zero, but it ended up making the bank manager tremble with fear.

“Z,” he said, trying a softer tone—the tone he used to cajole her. “I don’t know what happened to you, but this is big business. Maybe… maybe we can collaborate. I mean, you know me. I’m the best builder in Atlanta.”

Zelica smiled slightly.

“Oh, I know you very well, Quacy.”

Then she stood up.

“I don’t have more time, but I will give you a chance. My team”—she glanced at Seek—“will do due diligence. A complete life-diligence of your company. We need to see your accounting, your list of assets, and your list of debts. We will not invest a single dollar in a company that is not transparent.”

Quacy hesitated. Opening his books would be a disaster. His company wasn’t as healthy as he bragged.

“Why does it have to be so complicated?” he asked. “It’s me, Z. Your ex-husband.”