Chapter 5 - CORNERED ANIMAL
By midnight, the gala was over, but the nightmare for Spencer Reed was only beginning.
He sat in the back of his SUV, staring at his phone as notification after notification flooded his screen.
NOTIFICATION: Apex Group has terminated the partnership with Reed Logistics. NOTIFICATION: First National Bank has frozen your corporate credit line. NOTIFICATION: Board meeting requested by major shareholders at 8:00 AM.
"No, no, no!" Spencer roared, slamming his fists against the leather seats. In less than three hours, his multi-million-dollar empire had begun to crumble. The market hadn't even opened yet, and rumors of Harrell International's blacklisting were already destroying his stock value.
His phone rang. It was his lead legal counsel, Marcus Thorne.
"Spencer, what the hell happened at the gala?!" Thorne yelled into the phone. "I just got a call from Harrell International’s legal team. They’ve filed for an expedited, emergency divorce petition on behalf of Phoebe Harrell!"
Spencer grinned wickedly through his panic. "A divorce? Good! Let them file! Marcus, we live in a joint-property state! She’s been my wife for three years. I am entitled to fifty percent of her assets and income accrued during the marriage!"
There was a long, uncomfortable pause on the other end of the line.
"Marcus?" Spencer asked, narrowing his eyes. "Did you hear me? I want half of the Harrell fortune!"
"Spencer... you idiot," Thorne whispered in despair. "Did you ever read the prenuptial agreement you signed three years ago?"
Spencer froze. "What prenuptial agreement? She came to me with nothing! We signed a standard basic prenup protecting my assets!"
"No, Spencer," Thorne sighed heavily. "Her legal team handled the draft. There was a specific clause—Clause 14B. It stated that if either party committed severe marital infidelity or emotional misconduct documented with evidence, the offending party forfeits all rights to spousal support, joint property, and must pay a penalty equal to thirty percent of their personal assets."
"Infidelity?" Spencer stammered, feeling cold sweat pour down his back. "She has no proof of anything! Paisley and I were just... business associates!"
"They sent over a dossier ten minutes ago, Spencer," Thorne said, his voice devoid of hope. "They have photos of you and Paisley at private hotels. They have text messages. They even have a selfie Paisley sent to Phoebe tonight from your SUV."
Spencer’s eyes went wide with fury. Paisley. That gold-digging idiot had documented her own undoing and sent it straight to the victim.
"Fix it, Marcus!" Spencer screamed into the receiver. "Find a loop-hole! I won't lose everything because of a damn photo!"
"There are no loopholes against Raymond Harrell, Spencer," Thorne said quietly. "If I were you, I’d prepare for bankruptcy. Good day."
The call went dead.
May you like
Spencer stared out the tinted window of his car. The city lights that had looked so welcoming hours ago now felt like a prison. He had lost his contracts, his reputation, and his fortune. But inside his twisted mind, a dangerous spark of desperation began to ignite.
"If I can't have her money..." Spencer muttered under his breath, his eyes darkening with sinister intent, "...then she won't live to enjoy it either."
