A cruel husband shoved his wife out of a helicopter for a hefty insurance payout — and her response left everyone utterly shocked

People who are trying to deceive you usually give themselves away eventually. How true, Elena replied. I’ve found that the biggest frauds are often the ones who seem most trustworthy on the surface. The meeting continued for another few minutes, but Elena could see that Richard was becoming uncomfortable. He kept glancing at her as if trying to figure out why she seemed familiar.

She decided it was time to leave before he started asking too many questions. Thank you so much for your time Mr. Martinez, she said standing up. I look forward to working with you in the future. The pleasure was all mine, Richard replied standing as well.

I hope we’ll be seeing more of you around here. Oh I’m sure you will, Elena said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. I’m very interested in getting to know this company better. All aspects of it. As she left Richard’s office, Elena felt a surge of satisfaction.

The first phase of her plan was complete. She had successfully inserted herself into Richard’s professional life, and he had no idea who she really was. Now the real work could begin.

Over the next few weeks, Elena would become a regular presence at Hartwell Insurance. She would gain Richard’s trust, learn about his embezzlement scheme, and position herself to destroy everything he had built on the foundation of her supposed death. Richard Martinez had no idea that his victim had returned, and she was coming for everything he held dear.

Elena’s investment in Hartwell Insurance was approved within two weeks. She purchased a 30% stake in the company, making her the second largest shareholder behind Mr. Hartwell himself. The deal gave her an office in the building and a legitimate reason to be there every day, observing Richard and gathering information.

Her office was strategically located down the hall from Richard’s, giving her a perfect view of his comings and goings. She arrived early and stayed late, establishing herself as a dedicated investor who was hands-on with her business ventures. I like to understand every aspect of my investments, she explained to Mr. Hartwell when he commented on her long hours.

The devil is in the details as they say. Richard seemed both intrigued and unsettled by her presence. She caught him staring at her during meetings, and he often found excuses to stop by her office. She could see he was attracted to her, but there was something else a nagging feeling that he couldn’t quite shake.

Have we met somewhere before? he asked one afternoon standing in her doorway with a cup of coffee. I mean besides that day at the restaurant. You seem so familiar. Elena looked up from her computer, her expression carefully neutral.

I don’t think so. I have one of those faces I suppose. People often think they know me.

Maybe, Richard said but he didn’t look convinced. Where are you from originally? Chicago, she lied smoothly. I lived there until my husband died.

Then I moved here to start fresh. I’m sorry for your loss, Richard said, though his expression suggested he was more interested in her availability than her grief. How long ago did you lose him? Two years, Elena replied. Cancer.

It was a long battle. Richard’s expression softened slightly, and Elena could see him calculating whether enough time had passed for her to be ready for a new relationship. She had to resist the urge to laugh at his transparency. That must have been difficult, he said.

But you seem to be doing well for yourself now. I’ve learned to focus on building something positive from the pain, Elena said. Sometimes the worst experiences in life can lead to the best opportunities.

Over the following weeks, Elena began to implement the second phase of her plan. She used her position at the company to gain access to financial records, employee files and operational data. What she found was even worse than she had expected.

Richard’s embezzlement wasn’t limited to small amounts skimmed from petty cash. He had been systematically stealing from the company for over two years, manipulating claims records and pocketing settlement money that should have gone to clients. The total amount was close to $200,000.

But Elena also discovered something else Richard wasn’t the only one involved. Amanda who worked as his secretary, had been helping him by falsifying documents and covering his tracks. They had been stealing from the company while planning to kill Elena for her insurance money.

Elena made copies of all the evidence storing it in a secure location. She wasn’t ready to expose Richard yet first, she wanted to destroy his personal life the same way he had tried to destroy hers. She began by learning everything she could about his relationship with Amanda.

Through careful observation and strategic questioning of other employees, she discovered that the affair had been going on for nearly a year before her death. Richard had been promising Amanda that he would leave his wife, but he had been reluctant to give up the financial security of his marriage. Elena also learned that Amanda was not the sweet, innocent secretary she pretended to be.

She was ambitious and manipulative, and she had been pressuring Richard to get rid of his wife so they could be together openly. In many ways, Amanda had been the driving force behind the murder plot. This knowledge gave Elena an idea for the next phase of her revenge.

She would drive a wedge between Richard and Amanda, making them turn against each other. When people were desperate and scared, they made mistakes, and Elena wanted Richard to make as many mistakes as possible. She started by anonymously sending Amanda photographs of Richard having lunch with other women business associates, clients, anyone who could be misinterpreted as a romantic interest.

The photos were innocent, but Elena made sure they looked suspicious by cropping out context and focusing on moments of laughter or casual touch. Within a week, Amanda was confronting Richard about his supposed infidelity. Elena watched from her office as Amanda stormed into Richard’s office, her voice raised in anger.

Who is she? Amanda demanded. Don’t lie to me Richard. I have pictures.

What are you talking about? Richard replied, but Elena could see the confusion and frustration on his face. What pictures? The ones of you with that brunette at Luigi’s last Tuesday. And the blonde at the coffee shop on Thursday.

How many women are you seeing? Elena had to bite her lip to keep from smiling. The brunette was a claims adjuster from another company, and the blonde was a client discussing her husband’s life insurance policy. But Amanda’s jealousy was making her see threats where none existed.

The fight continued for several minutes, with Amanda accusing Richard of using her to get rid of his wife and then planning to discard her as well. Richard tried to explain that the women in the photos were business associates, but Amanda was too angry to listen. I gave up everything for you, Amanda screamed…