Chapter 15: The Ultimatum
Chapter 15: The Ultimatum
Before they could take the evidence to the judge, Eleanor made one final, desperate play. She requested a private mediation session at her lawyer’s high-rise office downtown.
Claire walked into the opulent glass-and-steel boardroom flanked by Marcus and Vanessa. Eleanor sat at the head of the long mahogany table, flanked by three men in expensive suits. She looked as imperious as ever, though Claire could now see the faint lines of desperation around her eyes.
"I’m a reasonable woman, Claire," Eleanor began, not bothering to offer them a seat. "I know this legal battle is draining you. You’re weeks away from losing that pathetic community center. I am willing to offer you a settlement."
Eleanor slid a piece of paper across the table. It was a check for two million dollars.
"Take the money," Eleanor said smoothly. "Move to a beautiful island. Start a new life. All you have to do is sign full custody of Lily over to me. You know she’ll have a better life with the Bennett resources."
Claire looked at the check. Two million dollars. It was more money than she had ever seen. It could solve all her financial problems in a heartbeat.
Slowly, Claire reached out and picked up the piece of paper. She looked Eleanor dead in the eye, her expression completely calm, radiating the unbreakable strength of a mother’s love.
Slowly and deliberately, Claire ripped the check in half. Then in quarters. She let the pieces flutter onto the polished wood table like dead leaves.
"My daughter is not a commodity, Eleanor," Claire said, her voice ringing with absolute authority. "And neither am I. You think money is power because it’s the only thing you have left. We know about the trust fund. We know about your Cayman accounts. And we know you’re bankrupt."
Eleanor’s face went chalk-white. The three expensive lawyers suddenly looked incredibly uncomfortable, glancing at each other in alarm.
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"You can’t prove anything," Eleanor hissed, her mask of composure slipping.
Marcus stepped forward, dropping a thick, bound file of Vanessa’s forensic accounting onto the table. "Actually, Eleanor, we can. And we’ve already forwarded copies to the IRS and the District Attorney’s office. You aren't taking Lily. You aren't shutting down the arts center. In fact, if you don't drop this custody suit in the next ten minutes, you'll be sharing a cell block with your son."
