Chapter 4 - The Attorney’s Office and the First Real Weapon
The rain pelted against the frosted glass of Marcus Vance’s corner office on the fortieth floor of the downtown financial tower. My uncle—though we kept our professional relationship strictly confidential—sat behind his mahogany desk, reviewing the thick binder of evidence I had placed before him.
“You let him break your tooth, Natalie?” Marcus asked, his voice low and dangerous as he traced his finger over the medical report I had brought from the emergency clinic.
“I needed them to cross a line they couldn't talk their way out of,” I answered, touching my healing lip where the temporary dental bridge had been fitted. “If I left earlier, they would have played the victim and claimed I abandoned the marriage.”
Marcus closed the binder with a sharp slap that echoed in the quiet office. “Well, they crossed the line with interest. We have three years of documented financial abuse, extortion, domestic assault, and corporate fraud.”
He slid a stack of legal documents across the desk toward me.
“The restraining order is already signed by the judge. The asset freeze on Daniel’s personal accounts went live ten minutes ago. And as for the house...” Marcus smiled grimly. “Eviction notices have been dispatched by county sheriff deputies for eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”
I looked down at the documents, tracing the embossed seal of the superior court. The fear that had once paralyzed me whenever Daniel raised his voice was completely gone, replaced by a cold, mathematical clarity.
“And Chloe?” I asked.
May you like
“Her luxury apartment lease is tied to Daniel’s corporate credit card, which is currently maxed out and frozen,” Marcus replied. “She’ll be packing her designer bags by noon.”
“Good,” I said, standing up and buttoning my wool coat. “Let’s go home.”
