Chapter 5 - The Snake's Counterattack
By 8:00 AM the following morning, the storm outside had cleared, giving way to a cold, grey autumn sky over the city.
Daniel sat in his private home study on the ground floor. He had spent the early morning hours cooking breakfast for Noah and Ava, watching them eat three plates of pancakes while Mrs. Gable played cartoon videos for them in the sunroom.
Sitting across from Daniel at his mahogany desk were his three senior legal advisors, led by Marcus Vance—the top criminal defense strategist in the state.
"Daniel," Marcus said, placing a thick tablet on the desk. "Serena didn't sleep last night. At 6:00 AM, her attorney, Harrison Sterling, filed an emergency motion in the county family court."
Daniel raised an eyebrow, his face unreadable. "On what grounds?"
"False imprisonment, domestic assault, and spousal abandonment," Marcus read from the screen. "She went to a private urgent care clinic at 2:00 AM, claimed you physically threw her down the front steps of the estate, and produced photographs of faint red marks on her wrist."
Daniel let out a low, cold laugh. "She tried to grab the phone. I held her arm back."
"We know that," Marcus nodded. "And your audio recording clearly proves she was the aggressor against the children. However, Sterling is playing a media game. He’s leaked a statement to the press claiming you are a ruthless billionaire using your security team to silence your young wife after she uncovered 'financial irregularities' in your logistics firm."
Before Marcus could finish his sentence, the landline phone on Daniel’s desk rang loudly. Arthur stepped forward, answering it, listening for three seconds before handing the receiver to Daniel.
"It's Harrison Sterling," Arthur whispered.
Daniel took the phone, placing it to his ear. "Talk."
"Mr. Brooks," Harrison Sterling’s smug, arrogant voice purred through the line. "I assume your legal counsel has informed you of our filings this morning. My client, Serena, is willing to settle this matter quietly out of court. She will sign a full non-disclosure agreement and agree to a quiet divorce."
"What's her price?" Daniel asked, his voice dangerously smooth.
"Fifty million dollars in liquid stock," Sterling replied without hesitation. "Along with the deed to your Aspen property and full dismissal of any criminal allegations regarding the children. If you refuse... we go to the press at noon with her medical reports, and I assure you, Brooks Global Logistics stock will plunge thirty percent by market close."
Daniel stayed silent for five long seconds. He leaned back in his leather chair, looking out the window at the gardens where his children were playing safely under Arthur’s guarded watch.
"Sterling," Daniel said quietly.
"Yes, Mr. Brooks?"
"Tell Serena that she has four hours to pack her personal belongings from her hotel room and leave the country," Daniel spoke, every word dripping with lethal precision. "Because at noon, I'm not filing a civil response. I am releasing the raw audio, the pediatrician’s forensic injury reports, and the security footage from the garage network she thought she wiped."
Sterling’s tone instantly dropped its smugness. "What security footage...?"
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"The footage showing her driving my children to an unlicensed private basement storage facility in the industrial district three weeks ago," Daniel said calmly. "Did you really think I didn't find the secondary server, Sterling?"
The line went completely dead as Sterling hung up.
