Chapter 4 - The Strategic Counter-Attack
Claire sat in Ethan’s office an hour later, her head buried in her hands, the weight of Derek's threat suffocating her. "He's going to ruin everything," she whispered. "He'll use the fact that I couldn't even afford formula on Tuesday night to prove I'm unfit. The courts will look at my bank statement from this week."
Ethan stood by the window, his jaw clenched so tightly a muscle twitched in his cheek. He didn't look worried; he looked dangerously focused.
"He won't use anything, Claire," Ethan said, turning around. He picked up his phone and dialed his primary corporate legal counsel. "Marcus, I need the full financial forensic team assigned to a private matter. Run a comprehensive asset check on a Derek Vance. Look at his tax filings for the last twenty-four months, specifically targeting his undeclared income from his father’s logistics company."
He hung up and looked back at Claire. "Men like Derek don't want a baby, Claire. They want leverage. He saw your name linked to mine in the corporate system change log, and he smells a settlement. We aren't settling."
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"But the courtroom—"
"I’ll be there," Ethan said firmly. "Not as your boss. As the primary character witness who witnessed the exact state of your home and your dedication to your daughter when the system failed you."
