Chapter 2 - The Paper Fortress
Santiago’s mother hastily set her wine glass down, her fake polite smile breaking into panic. "This is a misunderstanding! We love Clara! We were just... having a heated family discussion about the baby's future!"
Alexander didn't even look at her. He raised a slight finger, and his lead attorney stepped into the room, snapping open a leather briefcase.
"Santiago Vance," the attorney read calmly. "At 8:00 AM this morning, Harrington Global completed the hostile takeover of Vance Enterprises. You no longer own your firm. You no longer own this mansion. You are currently trespassing on property owned by Clara Harrington."
Santiago gasped, pulling out his phone with trembling fingers. His screen immediately lit up with dozens of frantic notifications from his board of directors. Every credit card had been declined. Every asset froze.
"You can't do this!" Santiago roared, taking an aggressive step toward me. "She's my wife! And that is MY son in her stomach!"
Two tactical guards instantly unholstered their sidearms, pointing them directly at Santiago’s chest. The metallic click echoed sharply against the high ceilings.
"If you take one more step toward her," Alexander warned softly, "you won't live long enough to see tomorrow's gala."
I stepped forward, looking Santiago straight in the eyes. "You thought you trapped me with those forged psychiatric reports in your office locked drawer, didn't you? You thought you'd declare me insane after the birth, take my baby, and inherit whatever little savings you thought I had."
May you like
Santiago swallowed hard, his eyes wide with fear.
"I found those papers three weeks ago, Santiago," I whispered. "And while you were planning my imprisonment, I was buying your entire life."
