Chapter 8 - The Confrontation
Three weeks later, the legal battle reached its climax. Thomas Sterling’s lawyers had attempted to file a countersuit, claiming that Grace had illegally seized joint assets and was keeping him from his "rightful family." They were attempting to use Lily’s guardianship as leverage, threatening to drag Grace through a messy custody battle.
But they had underestimated Ethan Whitaker.
Ethan had hired the most ruthless estate and family law attorneys in Chicago. The deposition took place in a high-rise office overlooking the city.
Thomas sat at the end of the long conference table, looking smug, flanked by two cheap, aggressive attorneys. Grace sat next to Ethan, her hand firmly holding his under the table.
"My client is willing to drop all claims," Thomas’s lawyer said, leaning forward. "In exchange for a modest settlement of one million dollars. After all, Mr. Whitaker, you are a very wealthy man. It would be a shame if your private family matters became front-page news."
Ethan smiled, a slow, dangerous smile that made Thomas’s lawyer hesitate.
"Mr. Sterling," Ethan said, leaning back in his chair. "Do you know what my development company does before we buy a piece of land?"
Thomas frowned. "What?"
"We dig," Ethan said, throwing a thick folder onto the table. "We dig until we find every single piece of dirt, every buried pipe, and every hidden liability. And I have spent the last three weeks digging into you."
Ethan nodded to his attorney, who opened the folder.
"We have secured the original bank records from your shell company in Panama," Ethan’s attorney stated. "We have proof that you funneled over three million dollars out of your Kentucky business before declaring bankruptcy. That money wasn't lost; you hid it. And more importantly, we have the deposition of your former partner, who has agreed to testify that you forged Grace’s signature on the loan documents that ruined her reputation."
Thomas’s face went from smug to pale in a matter of seconds.
"This isn't a negotiation," Ethan said, his voice cold and absolute. "If you do not sign these papers—waiving all rights to any contact with Grace, Lily, or any family assets, and pleading guilty to the outstanding fraud charges in Kentucky—I will hand this file to the federal prosecutors waiting in the lobby. You will spend the next twenty years in a federal penitentiary."
May you like
Thomas looked at the papers, then at Ethan’s unyielding eyes. He realized, with absolute certainty, that he had lost.
With a trembling hand, Thomas picked up the pen and signed.
