Chapter 6 - The Queen’s Counter-AttackWord travels fast in high-society circles, and by sunrise the next morning, the Mercer family name was radioactive.
Daniel’s firm suspended him pending a full internal investigation into the embezzlement of corporate funds through Meridian Holdings. Victoria Sterling was reportedly locked out of her corporate email by 9:00 AM, her office boxes packed by security guards.
I was sitting at the breakfast bar of our temporary downtown apartment, sipping hot black coffee while reviewing custody schedules with Marcus over speakerphone.
“The judge granted our emergency ex parte custody order, Claire,” Marcus said over the line, sounding thoroughly pleased. “You have primary physical and legal custody of Lily and Noah until the final settlement hearings. Daniel won't even be allowed unsupervised visitation given the volatile environment at his mother’s estate.”
“Thank you, Marcus,” I said, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the bustling city below. “What about the house?”
“The lis pendens is locked in. Margaret and Vivian tried to file an emergency injunction to overturn it this morning, claiming the trust was established years ago. Our counter-evidence proved forgery of your marital signature. The judge threw their petition out of court in under five minutes.”
Just as I hung up with Marcus, the apartment buzzer rang.
I walked over to the video intercom screen. Standing in the lobby downstairs, looking disheveled, frantic, and stripped of her usual haughty arrogance, was Margaret Mercer. Behind her stood Vivian, wearing oversized dark sunglasses that couldn't quite hide her swollen, blotchy face.
“Let them up, security,” I instructed into the intercom, a cold smile touching my lips. “Send them straight to the penthouse elevator.”
Ten minutes later, a sharp knock sounded at my door.
I pulled it open slowly. Margaret pushed past me before I could even invite them in, her designer coat clutched tightly around her thin frame like armor. Vivian trailed behind her, looking around the luxurious apartment with a mixture of disbelief and pure venom.
“How dare you orchestrate this circus, Claire?” Margaret shrieked, her voice cracking as she turned to face me. “You’ve ruined my son’s career! You’ve brought shame upon the Mercer name! Do you have any idea what our friends at the country club are saying?”
I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms lazily. “Your friends at the country club can talk to the federal investigators auditing your family trust, Margaret. Would you like me to connect you with their direct extension?”
Margaret flinched as if struck by physical lightning.
“Listen to me, you ungrateful little gold-digger,” Vivian snapped, stepping forward, pointing a manicured finger inches from my face. “You think you’ve won? Daniel is still my brother. My mother and I will spend every last penny we have to drag you through custody hell until you’re begging on your knees for—!”
Slap.
The sound echoed through the quiet penthouse foyer, sharp and decisive.
Vivian staggered backward, clutching her cheek in absolute shock, her mouth agape.
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“Let’s establish a ground rule right now, Vivian,” I said, my voice dropping an octave, cold as glacial ice. “You don't point your finger at me in my home. And you certainly don't threaten my children.”
Margaret loses her mind, and a shocking family secret is revealed in Chapter 7...
