Chapter 6 - The Tiger’s Den
Three days later, the private conference room on the fourth floor of the hospital looked more like a war room than a family waiting area.
Arthur Mercer sat at the head of the mahogany table, surrounded by legal briefs, bank statements, and corporate expense reports. Across from him sat a pale, hollow-eyed Daniel Mercer, flanked by a bewildered defense attorney he had managed to retain at the eleventh hour.
The door opened, and Dr. Brooks walked in, holding Claire’s updated medical chart. Claire herself was not present—she was still too weak, resting in a private recovery suite down the hall, though she was now sitting up and drinking broth.
"Mr. Mercer," Arthur said without looking up from his files. "I’m glad you could make it. My sister is finally awake, which means we can move from attempted manslaughter logistics to pure, unadulterated financial destruction."
Daniel’s attorney, a nervous-looking man named Henderson, adjusted his tie. "Now see here, Mr. Mercer. My client is under immense emotional distress. Any discussion of financial settlements or asset division needs to go through proper family court channels—"
"Family court?" Arthur interrupted, finally raising his eyes. His gaze was so cold it made Henderson swallow hard. "Counselor, look at folder A on your left."
Henderson cautiously opened the manila folder. Inside were detailed credit card statements, hotel invoices, and wire transfer receipts dating back over eight months.
"Your client," Arthur continued, his voice dripping with venom, "used corporate client entertainment funds and marital joint accounts to lease a luxury downtown apartment for his mistress, Vanessa Hale. Under North Carolina law, that constitutes the dissipation of marital assets during pregnancy—a felony-level civil infraction. Furthermore, because those funds were funneled through his consulting firm's tax ID under false pretenses, federal tax fraud charges have already been filed with the IRS."
Daniel stared at the table, his hands trembling violently. "Arthur... please. The babies... think of the babies."
"I am thinking of the babies, Daniel," Arthur snapped, slamming his palm on the table. "Which is why my sister is filing for an immediate, uncontested emergency divorce granting her sole legal and physical custody of the twins, sole ownership of the marital home, 100% of your remaining retirement accounts, and spousal and child support calculated at ninety percent of your gross income."
"That's... that's impossible!" Henderson protested. "You're leaving him destitute!"
"No," Arthur said coldly, standing up to tower over them. "I’m leaving him exactly where he belongs. Destitute, disgraced, and alone."
Before Daniel could formulate a response, the conference room door flew open again.
May you like
It was hospital security, accompanied by two Raleigh police officers.
"Daniel Mercer?" the lead officer asked, stepping forward with a pair of steel handcuffs dangling from his hand. "You are under arrest for corporate embezzlement, fraud, and violation of federal wire statutes. Turn around and put your hands behind your back."
