Chapter 5 - The Counterattack
Six weeks passed. The divorce was expedited, pushed through the courts with lightning speed due to the criminal proceedings. I reclaimed my maiden name: Claire Vance.
I moved into a secure, high-rise apartment downtown. I bought my own groceries. I slept with the doors unlocked. I started attending therapy, slowly unknotting the years of psychological damage Victor had inflicted on me.
But the silence was broken on a rainy Tuesday afternoon.
I was leaving my therapist’s office when a man in a sharp grey suit stepped into my path. He wasn't much taller than me, but he had the cold, dead eyes of a mercenary.
“Ms. Vance,” he said, his voice smooth and devoid of emotion. “My name is Sullivan. I represent certain... interests, currently residing in the county lockup.”
My blood ran cold. Victor. Even from behind bars, waiting for his federal trial, he was still trying to reach me.
“I have a restraining order,” I said, tightening my grip on my umbrella. “Step aside or I’ll call the police.”
Sullivan didn't move. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small, manila envelope, holding it out to me.
“Mr. Hale would like to offer a settlement. He is willing to plead guilty to the financial crimes and ensure you receive a very generous portion of the untraceable assets he hid before the feds stepped in. Enough money to make you a billionaire.”
I stared at him, disgusted. “And in exchange?”
“In exchange, you recant the domestic abuse allegations. You say the videos were deepfakes, created by a disgruntled employee. You say you acted under duress during the dinner.”
He smiled, a chilling expression. “If you refuse, Mr. Hale has instructed me to release certain information regarding your father's business practices. It seems your father was fully aware of the embezzlement and actively helped launder some of the money through his company.”
My breath caught in my throat. My father had been complicit in the fraud?
“Victor kept receipts, Claire,” Sullivan whispered. “If he goes down for twenty years, your father goes with him. And your mother loses everything to the IRS. Take the deal. Recant the abuse. Save your family.”
May you like
He dropped the envelope at my feet and walked away, disappearing into the crowded, rain-slicked street.
I stood frozen, the rain soaking my hair. Victor had played his final card. He was holding my family hostage, forcing me to choose between my truth and their freedom.
