Chapter 7 - The Trap Is SetThat afternoon, while Victoria’s legal team worked with relentless speed to secure the court orders, I moved into a secure, luxury service apartment downtown that Victoria had arranged using funds from Evelyn’s cashier's checks.
At 4:00 PM, my phone buzzed. The screen showed the caller ID: Richard Vance, Esq.
I took a deep breath, signaling to Victoria, who immediately connected a digital recording device to my line before giving me a nod.
I answered, keeping my voice soft, timid, and trembling—the exact persona they expected from a broken woman hiding in a cheap motel.
"H-hello? Richard?"
"Diane," Richard’s smooth, condescending voice came through the speaker. "I’ve been trying to reach you all day. Scott told me about the... unfortunate incident last night. I must say, I’m deeply disappointed in how heated things got."
"He threw me out, Richard," I said, letting my voice crack slightly. "He brought that woman into our house... and his mother threw a suitcase at me. Lily was sick..."
"I know, I know, it’s tragic," Richard interrupted smoothly, not a shred of genuine empathy in his tone. "That’s why we need to wrap this up quickly for your own sake, Diane. Stress isn't good for Lily. I’ve drafted a preliminary marital settlement agreement."
"Settlement?" I asked gently.
"Yes. Scott is willing to offer you a lump-sum payment of $50,000 in cash, provided you sign a full liability release waiver and agree to relinquish any potential claims against Carter Enterprises. It’s a very generous offer, Diane, considering the business is facing severe debt."
Beside me, Victoria covered her mouth to stifle a sharp, mocking laugh.
"Fifty thousand dollars?" I whimpered softly into the phone. "Is that all the company is worth?"
"The company is practically insolvent, Diane," Richard lied without blinking. "If you try to fight this in court, you’ll end up with nothing after legal fees. I strongly advise you to come to my office tomorrow morning at 9:30 AM to sign the papers. Let's put this nightmare behind you."
I looked at Victoria. She held up a notepad with two words written in giant red letters: AGREE TO IT.
"Okay," I whispered into the receiver. "I’ll be there at 9:30, Richard. Thank you for looking out for me."
"You're making the smart choice, Diane. See you tomorrow."
May you like
The line went dead.
Victoria unclipped the recording unit and grinned. "Excellent performance, Mrs. Carter. They think you're walking into a surrender. Instead, they're walking right into an execution."
