Chapter 5 - The Counter-Strike
Within forty-eight hours, the battlefield shifted. Clara returned to New York to find child protective services waiting at her apartment door, acting on an "anonymous tip" about child neglect. But this time, Clara wasn't alone.
Standing beside her was Arthur’s lead attorney, a ruthless bulldog named Marcus Vance, who easily dismantled the social worker’s claims with a thick binder of medical records, school reports, and character references Arthur had gathered overnight.
"This is harassment," Marcus told the social worker coldly. "If you return without a court order, we will sue the city for malicious prosecution. Good day."
Julian’s initial tactic had failed.
That evening, Arthur arrived at Clara's apartment with a bag of groceries and a warm smile. He cooked dinner for Clara and Mia. For the first time in her life, Mia seemed to relax around a man. Arthur treated her with a gentle respect that she had never received from Julian, who had barely acknowledged her existence before the divorce.
"He's nice," Mia whispered to Clara as they cleared the table.
"He is," Clara smiled softly. She and Arthur spent the night strategizing. Arthur had already initiated a lawsuit challenging Julian’s position as CEO, demanding a full audit of the company and, crucially, a court-ordered DNA test based on newly discovered evidence.
When Eleanor received the legal summons the next morning, she smashed a priceless Ming vase against her penthouse wall.
"He knows!" she screamed at Julian. "Arthur knows! We have to stop the DNA test!"
May you like
"How?" Julian yelled back, his composure completely shattered. "It's a federal subpoena, Mother! If I refuse, it’s an admission of guilt, and the board will oust me anyway!"
They were backed into a corner, and they knew it.
