Chapter 5 - The Counter-Strike
"A custody freeze," Richard repeated, his voice dangerously soft as he walked around the mahogany table, closing the distance between himself and Cassandra's high-priced attorney.
Arthur Sterling blinked, suddenly feeling the oppressive weight of Richard’s gaze. "Th-the court order is legally binding, Mr. Blackwood. You cannot—"
"Arthur, is it?" Richard interrupted, cutting him off smoothly. He reached out and plucked the manila folder straight from the lawyer’s hands. "Tell me, did Cassandra happen to mention to you why she was evicted from my house at 9:00 PM last night?"
Cassandra’s triumphant smirk flickered for a fraction of a second. "That's completely irrelevant! The law states—"
"The law," Richard boomed, his voice echoing with thunderous authority, "takes a very dim view of child endangerment and systemic starvation."
He flipped open the folder, tossing the injunction papers into the trash can beside the table.
"Marcus," Richard commanded without breaking eye contact with Cassandra. "Get our corporate legal counsel on the phone. Not family law. Criminal prosecution."
Marcus scrambled for his phone. "Richard, what are you—"
"File an immediate counter-motion for emergency protective custody, supported by sworn affidavits from the municipal school district, specifically citing cafeteria logs, nurse reports, and witness testimony regarding systemic deprivation of food and basic necessities over a four-year period."
Cassandra’s face finally lost all color. "You're bluffing. You don't have logs!"
"Don't I?" Richard stepped right up to her, his shadow towering over her expensive wool coat. "You arrogant fool. Do you really think a man who uncovers hidden corporate liabilities in foreign subsidiaries wouldn't spend twelve hours auditing the people closest to his son?"
Richard pulled his own phone from his pocket, tapping the screen once to play an audio file.
The crisp, clear sound of Cassandra’s voice filled the silent boardroom: “He’s messy. Needy. Always asking for something... I didn’t sign up to be a servant to your baggage.”
The recording played on a loop for three agonizing seconds before Richard hit stop.
The two police officers standing by the door shifted uncomfortably, their professional demeanor hardening as they looked directly at Cassandra.
"That... that was a private conversation in a private residence!" Cassandra shrieked, panic finally piercing through her polished veneer.
"In the state of Illinois," Richard said coldly, locking eyes with her terrified attorney, "recording an admission of child neglect in the presence of electronic smart-home devices is entirely admissible when tied to an active endangerment investigation. Arthur, I suggest you take your client and walk out of this building right now. Because if you don't, by noon, your firm won't just be defending her—you'll be defending yourselves against obstruction charges."
May you like
Arthur Sterling looked at Cassandra, looked at the police officers, and quietly took two steps backward toward the elevators. "My firm... is officially withdrawing representation."
"TRAITOR!" Cassandra screamed as her lawyer turned and sprinted down the hallway.
