Chapter 15 - The Trap is Set
The drama escalated when Victoria Vance launched a media campaign. Leaked, heavily edited audio recordings of my past arguments with Sarah began appearing on news outlets, painting me as an abusive, unstable father who used his corporate power to manipulate the courts. The court of public opinion was turning against me.
Social services launched a formal investigation. A date was set for a new custody hearing. The threat of losing Emma and Ethan was no longer a distant fear; it was a countdown.
I knew I couldn't beat them by playing defense. I needed to bait the trap.
I arranged a private meeting with Victoria at a secluded restaurant downtown. I wore a hidden wire, courtesy of the private security team Julian had helped me hire.
"Name your price, Victoria," I said, pretending to look defeated, rubbing my temples. "What does my father want? What does Sarah want? I'll sign over my remaining shares in the company. Just leave my kids alone."
May you like
Victoria smirked, leaning in. "Your father wants his freedom, Marcus. He wants you to confess to the wiretapping that put him away, taking the blame so his conviction is overturned. And Sarah? She wants the children because their trust funds unlock fifty million dollars on their eighth birthdays. She doesn't care about them. She cares about the payout. And I get twenty percent."
Every word was captured on the digital recorder hidden in my jacket. But Victoria wasn't stupid. As she stood up, she leaned close to my ear. "Did you really think I didn't know you were wired, Marcus? Look at your security feed at home."
