Chapter 7 - The Trap is Set
Four days before the custody hearing, the storm returned to Chicago with a vengeance. Thunder rattled the heavy leaded glass of the study where Victor and his chief legal counsel, Arthur Pendelton, sat reviewing documents with Clara.
"Derek Vance’s legal team has filed a motion for an emergency home inspection," Arthur explained, pushing a set of legal papers across the desk. "They are claiming that Clara is residing in an unregistered, unsafe living environment with four high-risk children, and that Lily is being subjected to emotional neglect."
Clara’s jaw tightened. "Unsafe? This house has full-time security, private medical access, and a private tutor!"
"It doesn't matter what is real, Clara," Arthur said gently. "It matters what Derek’s lawyer can argue in front of Judge Vance—who, unfortunately, happens to be a conservative magistrate who favors traditional family structures."
Victor stood up from behind his desk, walking to the window overlooking the rain-soaked gardens. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass.
"Judge Vance is corruptible," Victor said coldly. "Derek didn't choose him by accident. My team traced three off-shore wire transfers from an account linked to Derek’s loan shark directly to a dummy corporation owned by Judge Vance’s brother-in-law."
Clara gasped. "He bribed the judge?"
"Attempted bribe," Victor corrected, turning around with a dark, lethal smile. "Which transforms a simple custody dispute into a federal bribery and racketeering case."
"What are we going to do?" Clara asked, her pulse racing.
"We give them exactly what they want," Victor said smoothly. "Derek wants a surprise inspection. We will invite him here. Tomorrow evening. For dinner."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Victor, bringing a hostile party into your residence before a trial—"
"Derek Vance believes he is dealing with a broke, helpless woman," Victor interrupted, his eyes locking onto Clara with burning intensity. "He believes he can walk into this house, intimidate Clara, and force her to sign over custody before the judge ever sees the evidence. I want him in this house. I want him to commit the extortion on camera, in front of federal witnesses."
Clara looked at Victor, realizing the sheer scale of the trap he was laying. He wasn't just defending her; he was systematically destroying her abuser.
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"And the boys?" Clara asked. "I won't have them in danger."
Victor’s smile softened slightly. "The boys are part of the security strategy, Clara. In fact... Mason already has an idea."
