Chapter 8 - THE ULTIMATUMEthan answered the phone, putting it on speaker so Rosa could hear.
"Report, Marcus," Ethan commanded.
"Mr. Caldwell... we have a major breach," Marcus’s voice came through, tense and hurried. "Senator Haynes didn't take the lawsuit lying down. Through a series of backdoor legal maneuvers and old political favors, he's obtained a court-ordered emergency welfare injunction."
Ethan’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "An injunction on what grounds?"
"On the grounds that Lily is a minor residing in an undisclosed location with an unregistered guardian, and that your sudden acknowledgment constitutes a suspicious conflict of interest regarding Caldwell Enterprise assets. They've dispatched local child services, accompanied by a court bailiff and state troopers, to secure the child pending a custody hearing."
Rosa gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Custody? They want to take Lily?"
"They can try," Ethan said, his voice dropping into a cold, lethal register. "Where are they?"
"They're tracking your secondary vehicle's transponder. They'll be at the Monterey property in twenty minutes."
"Cut the transponder feed. Route all communication to my legal team. And Marcus?" Ethan’s voice was icy. "Bring the private chopper. We're moving."
Ethan hung up the phone and turned to Rosa, seeing the absolute terror in her eyes. He immediately stepped forward, taking her trembling hands in his.
"Rosa, listen to me. They will not touch Lily. Haynes is trying to use the legal system to weaponize our daughter against me, to force me to drop the corporate lawsuit and settle out of court."
"If they take her..." Rosa choked out, tears finally spilling over her lashes. "If they take her, I'll die, Ethan."
"They won't," Ethan vowed fiercely. "Pack a bag. Now. The chopper is landing on the private pad behind the ridge in five minutes. We're going to my private island off the coast of Washington. No courts, no politicians, and no corrupt senators can touch us there."
May you like
Rosa looked from Ethan’s resolute face down to Lily, who was still happily coloring her book, completely unaware of the storm gathering around them.
"Okay," Rosa whispered, her maternal instinct overriding all hesitation. "Let's go."
