Chapter 5 - The War for Truth
While Graham and Vivian were forced to seek shelter at a cheap motel paid for by selling Graham’s gold watch to a pawn shop for a fraction of its value, Evelyn was already moving on to the next phase of her master plan.
In the penthouse suite of the Vale International Headquarters in downtown Chicago, Evelyn sat behind a massive mahogany desk. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city skyline stretched out beneath a crisp, blue sky.
In a soft velvet crib near her desk, ten-day-old Leo and Oliver were sleeping soundly, watched over by a team of elite pediatric nurses.
Marcus Vance stepped into the office, carrying a tablet.
"The public relations warfare has begun, Evelyn," Marcus reported. "Graham went to the tabloid press three hours ago. He’s claiming that you used your corporate wealth to frame him, steal his children, and force him out of his home."
Evelyn didn't even look up from her signing papers. "Has the story gained traction?"
"The Chicago Daily Herald published an online article twenty minutes ago titled: 'Billionaire CEO Evicts Husband and Newborns' Father in Freezing Night.'"
A cold, amused smile touched Evelyn’s lips. "He really doesn't know when to stop digging his own grave, does he?"
"Shall I issue a press injunction?" Marcus asked.
"No," Evelyn said, standing up and walking over to the crib. She reached down and gently touched Leo’s soft cheek. "Let the story spread. Let the public rage against me for twenty-four hours. Let Graham build his mountain of lies until he feels safe and triumphant once more."
"And then?" Marcus smiled, understanding her strategy instantly.
"And then we release the unedited security footage from the front porch," Evelyn said, her voice dropping into a lethal register. "The footage with full audio where Graham pushes me into the snow, where Vivian calls my sons bastards, and where Graham demands I sign away all child support."
May you like
Marcus chuckled softly. "Public execution by media."
"Precisely," Evelyn said. "And call the District Attorney. I want formal criminal charges filed for felony domestic battery, child endangerment, and extortion by 4:00 PM."
