Chapter 7 - The Showdown in the StacksThe temperature in the back room seemed to drop ten degrees. Harrison stepped inside, his broad shoulders blocking the doorway, cutting off any exit. His gaze flicked from Eleanor to Julian, before finally locking back onto Clare with cold fury.
“Clare,” Harrison said, his voice dripping with venomous calm. “Playing hide-and-seek in a Vermont bookstore? Really? Pack your bags. We’re going home.”
Clare didn't flinch. She slowly stood up from her chair, resting one hand protectively over her belly, standing tall despite her advanced pregnancy.
“I’m not going anywhere with you, Harrison,” Clare said clearly.
Harrison took a step forward, but Julian immediately stepped between them, his posture rigid and unyielding.
“You heard her,” Julian said, his voice low and dangerous. “She’s staying here.”
Harrison’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Julian, recognition slowly dawning on his face like a nightmare taking shape. “You... You’re the bastard. Julian.”
“And you’re the thief,” Julian replied smoothly. “Game’s over, little brother. The trust is frozen, the board knows about your father’s murder, and your wife has already filed for divorce.”
Panic flared in Harrison’s eyes for a fraction of a second before rage took over. He lunged past Julian, reaching out to grab Clare’s arm. “You sign those revocation papers right now, Clare, or I swear to God I’ll strip you of every cent, take full custody of that kid the second he’s born, and make sure you never see a courtroom again!”
Clare didn’t flinch. Instead, she reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and tapped the screen.
“You might want to check the speakerphone, Harrison,” Clare said calmly.
The phone crackled to life, broadcasting a crystal-clear recording straight into the room: “I’ll strip you of every cent, take full custody... and make sure you never see a courtroom again!”
May you like
Harrison froze.
“That’s going straight to Judge Miller, your divorce attorneys, and the Wall Street Journal,” Clare said, her voice steady and lethal. “Threatening a pregnant woman while admitting to corporate extortion and intimidation? That’s not just a bad look for a billionaire, Harrison. That’s a prison sentence.”
