Chapter 4 - The Threat in the Dark
The next morning, I was discharged from the hospital. Against Leo’s protests, I insisted on returning straight to my Capitol Hill condo. It was my fortress. I had bought it, designed the minimalist interior myself, and I refused to let their terror dictate where I slept.
But the moment I stepped out of the elevator onto the top floor, I knew I wasn't alone.
Sitting on the bench outside my door was Victoria. She was no longer wearing her lavish dinner party attire; she was wrapped in a sharp black trench coat, her designer sunglasses hiding her eyes despite the dim hallway lighting.
"You have a lot of nerve showing your face here," I said, standing tall, my hand gripping my pepper spray inside my pocket.
Victoria stood up slowly, removing her glasses. Her eyes were sunken, rimmed with red, but her lips were curled into a venomous sneer. "You ruined my son's life, Valerie. He is sitting in a county jail with common criminals because you couldn't control your pride."
"He's in jail because he committed a felony, Victoria. Get away from my door before I call the police for trespassing."
"The police?" Victoria laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. "You think those local cops can protect you from what we can do to your career? My husband sits on the board of the Denver Architecture Review Committee. One word from Arthur, and your license is revoked. You will never design a dog house in this state, let alone a commercial skyscraper."
She stepped closer, her breath smelling of stale coffee and cigarettes. "Drop the charges. Sign the condo over to me as a settlement for the emotional distress you’ve caused our family, and we will let you walk away with your career intact. Refuse, and we will destroy your name so completely you'll be begging for scraps on the street."
I looked at the six fresh stitches on my head, then looked back at the woman who had enabled a monster.
"Tell Arthur to check his email," I said calmly, pulling out my phone. "Because ten minutes ago, my brother forwarded a digital copy of the forged building permits to the state licensing board and the federal district attorney. By tomorrow morning, your husband won't be sitting on any committees. He’ll be hiring a defense attorney."
Victoria’s arrogance vanished in an instant. Her face went completely pale, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
May you like
"You... you wouldn't," she gasped.
"Watch me," I said, unlocking my door, stepping inside, and slamming it firmly in her face.
