Chapter 3 - The Bloodline Trap
Flynn’s face turned gray. His champagne glass slipped from his fingers, shattering across the Italian marble floor.
"You trickster!" Flynn screamed at Jonathan, lunging forward, but two security guards immediately tackled him to the floor, pinning his face against the cold stone. "That's my company! I built Vance Enterprises with my own sweat and blood!"
"With William Hart's capital," Jonathan corrected quietly, looking down at the disgraced executive. "And according to the terms your signature ratified outside the ICU, you have twenty-four hours to surrender all corporate keys, security clearances, and proprietary codes. If you step foot on Vance property after midnight, you will be arrested for criminal trespass."
"You can't do this!" Victoria shrieked, backing away in terror as officers began tagging the expensive artwork and furniture with asset-seizure labels. "Flynn, do something!"
"My black card," Flynn gasped from the floor, struggling against the guard's grip. "Let me get my wallet! My bank accounts—"
"Frozen," Jonathan interrupted smoothly. "Every single personal and business account tied to your Social Security number was locked at the moment of filing. You are legally indigent, Mr. Vance."
Flynn was hauled to his feet and escorted out of his own home in handcuffs, dressed in nothing but his silk lounge shirt and trousers, while paparazzi—mysteriously tipped off minutes earlier—flashed camera lights in his face at the building's entrance.
Back at the hospital, I cradled my daughter, Maya, while my son, Leo, slept peacefully beside me. My body still ached from the emergency surgery, but a fierce, protective fire burned inside my chest.
Jonathan entered my room, bowing his head respectfully. "It is done, Claire. He has been removed from the penthouse. But there is a complication."
May you like
"What complication?" I asked, stroking Maya's soft forehead.
"Flynn's lawyers just filed an emergency injunction," Jonathan said tightly. "He isn't fighting for the company yet. He is aiming where it hurts most. He has filed for immediate full custody of the twins, claiming you are mentally unstable and physically unfit to care for them after your cardiac arrest."
