Chapter 3 - THE EX-HUSBAND'S MISTAKETwenty miles away, inside the penthouse suite of the Grand Manhattan Hotel, Richard Vance poured two glasses of vintage champagne, handing one to Valerie, who was lounging silkily across the velvet sofa.
"It’s finally done," Richard laughed, tossing his car keys onto the glass coffee table. "No crying baby, no emotional wife, and no financial baggage. We are completely free, Val."
Valerie clinked her glass against his, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips. "And the hospital paperwork? Did you make sure her name is the only one listed as primary caregiver so she gets stuck with the entire six-figure delivery bill?"
"Of course," Richard sneered. "By tomorrow morning, our lawyers will file for default divorce under 'abandonment of marital domicile,' and her father’s old estate rights revert automatically to corporate holdings."
Suddenly, the penthouse door’s smart-lock beeped violently.
BEEP-BEEP-BEEP.
Before Richard could turn around, the heavy mahogany door swung inward.
Four men in sharp black suits marched into the suite, followed by a tall, imposing figure with striking tattoos tracing his neck.
Richard froze, dropping his champagne glass. It shattered against the Italian marble floor, spraying golden liquid everywhere.
"Who the hell are you?!" Richard shouted, stepping backward. "Security! How did you get up here?!"
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Luka Moretti stepped into the center of the room, his eyes fixed on Richard with predatory calm. He didn't raise his voice, but every word carried the weight of an executioner's axe.
"You left something behind at the hospital, Richard," Luka said quietly. "Your signature on a legal document relinquishing all paternal rights. And now... we're here to collect the rest."
