Chapter 3 - SHADOWS OF DESPERATION
Over the next two weeks, the financial warfare raged relentlessly.
Unable to accept his downfall, Derek shifted from panic to blind rage. He blamed me entirely, convincing himself that if I hadn't shown up at the ballroom, his life would still be perfect.
One afternoon, as I left my design firm to pick up the children from preschool, a black sedan began tailing my car.
Recognizing the threat, I immediately called Julian.
"Clara, stay calm," Julian’s commanding voice came through the speaker. "Don't drive home. Turn onto Montgomery Avenue. My security detail is right behind you."
As I turned onto the busy avenue, the black sedan suddenly accelerated, cutting sharply across my lane and forcing me to slam on the brakes. Tires shrieked against the asphalt.
The sedan's door slammed open, and Derek stepped out. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair unkempt, his tailored image completely shattered.
"Clara! Get out here!" He pounded furiously on my driver-side window. "You ruined my life! You set me up at the hotel! You're using those kids to destroy me!"
I kept the doors locked, looking at him with cool detachment.
Within thirty seconds, two black SUVs pulled up, blocking Derek’s vehicle. Four large security guards jumped out, swiftly pinning Derek against the hood of his car.
Julian stepped out from the trailing SUV. He walked up to my window, tapping it gently. I rolled it down.
"Are you alright, Clara?" he asked softly.
"I'm fine," I breathed out.
Julian turned toward Derek, who was thrashing against the guards. Julian looked down at him with quiet contempt.
"Callahan, you've made two fatal mistakes," Julian said coldly. "The first was abandoning Clara and your children. The second was thinking you could lay a finger on her while I breathe."
"Julian! What do you care?!" Derek roared. "She's just a penniless woman I discarded! She tricked you!"
Julian let out a faint, terrifying smile. "You think I support Clara out of pity? She has been the chief architect for three of Whitmore Global's largest commercial developments over the last two years. She earned her success through brilliance. You, on the other hand, are merely a financial fraud about to go to prison."
Julian motioned to his assistant, who handed Derek a document copy.
May you like
"These are records of the $12 million you hid during your divorce to evade tax and child support obligations," Julian stated smoothly. "The Department of Justice receives the originals tomorrow morning."
Derek's face drained to an ashen gray. He realized he was not just losing his fortune—he was facing decades behind bars.
