Chapter 6 - The Trap is Set
Panic erupted in the conference room. Victoria shot out of her chair, her demure act shattering instantly. "You tricked us! This is illegal! You can't do this!" she screamed, pointing an accusing finger at Harrison.
"Actually, Miss Vance, it is perfectly legal," Harrison replied calmly, adjusting his glasses. "You failed to read the fine print of the document you just eagerly signed. A classic rookie mistake driven by greed."
Marcus was pacing the floor like a caged animal, ripping his silk tie from his neck. "Daniel, you're insane! You have no proof of anything! This is a bluff. You're having a mental breakdown, just like we always said!" He pulled out his phone, his hands shaking violently. "I'm calling the doctors. I'm executing the medical petition right now. You are done, Daniel! You'll be locked in a padded cell by midnight, and I'll take Noah anyway!"
"Go ahead," I said, leaning back in my chair and steepling my fingers. "Call Dr. Evans. The fake psychiatrist you bribed to write that fraudulent medical report." Marcus froze, his phone hovering in the air. "Oh, didn't think I knew about that?" I stood up, slamming my hands onto the glass table, making both of them flinch. "I know everything, Marcus. I know about the fifty million you owe the Russians. I know about your affair with Victoria. And most importantly, I know about the video Sarah left me."
At the mention of Sarah's name, Marcus physically stumbled backwards. "Sarah... she's dead. She didn't know anything," he whispered.
"She knew enough to hide a camera in her own home," I lied, wanting to terrify him. "She knew enough to hire private security to watch you. You thought you were hunting me, Marcus? You've been the prey for two years." I clicked a button on a remote, and the large television screen at the end of the room flickered to life. It displayed the high-definition security footage from my home three days ago. The footage of Victoria slapping Grace and bruising Noah's wrists.
"Child abuse," I stated clearly. "Caught on tape. Combined with conspiracy to commit medical fraud, extortion, and grand larceny. If you try to file that petition against me, these videos and the financial documents go straight to the District Attorney."
Victoria turned on Marcus like a rabid dog. "You idiot!" she shrieked, slapping him across the chest. "You told me this was foolproof! You told me he was too stupid to figure it out!"
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"Shut up, Victoria!" Marcus roared back, shoving her away. The alliance they had built on deceit was crumbling in seconds under the weight of self-preservation. Marcus turned back to me, his face pale, sweating profusely. "Dan... Danny, please. I'm your brother. We share the same blood. You can't send me to prison. The people I owe money to... they won't just ruin my career, they'll kill me. Please, I'll disappear. I'll never talk to you or Noah again. Just let me walk away."
I looked at the man I had shared my childhood with. I searched my heart for even a shred of pity, a drop of brotherly love. But I found nothing. All I saw was the monster who had tried to steal my son's life. "You made your choice, Marcus," I said coldly. "And now, you will pay the price."
