Chapter 2 - The Legal Visit
I hung up the phone and left Marcus listening to the dead dial tone.
The next morning, I made Daniel his favorite pancakes before walking him to school.
I drove my rattling old car back to my apartment building and parked in the alley.
When I walked up to my front door, a man in an expensive gray suit was waiting for me.
He held a thick leather briefcase and wore a highly unamused expression on his face.
"Elena Vance?" the man asked sharply.
"Yes, how can I help you?" I replied while unlocking my door.
"I am Mr. Sterling, the senior attorney representing your brother, Marcus," he said.
He pushed his way into my small apartment without being invited.
"Marcus has instructed me to serve you with a cease and desist order regarding your forged financial documents," Mr. Sterling declared.
"He is also seeking emergency custody of your son, Daniel, citing your living conditions as unfit," the lawyer added with a smirk.
My blood ran completely cold at the mention of my son.
"You are making a massive mistake, Mr. Sterling," I warned him.
"The only mistake was you thinking you could outsmart a man with my client's resources," he laughed.
I walked over to my kitchen counter and opened my laptop.
"Mr. Sterling, you are a senior partner at Vanguard Legal Group, correct?" I asked.
The lawyer frowned and adjusted his tie.
"Yes, I am," he confirmed proudly.
"Vanguard Legal Group was recently acquired by a private equity firm called Apex Holdings," I stated.
Mr. Sterling's arrogant smile began to fade.
"How do you know about that corporate acquisition?" he demanded.
I turned my laptop screen around so he could see the digital corporate registry.
"I know about it because I am the sole founder and CEO of Apex Holdings," I said softly.
Mr. Sterling stepped closer to the screen and turned perfectly pale.
"You are my ultimate boss," the lawyer whispered in pure horror.
"Yes, I am, and you are officially fired," I told him.
Mr. Sterling dropped his briefcase on the floor and began to panic.
"Please, Ms. Vance, Marcus lied to me about everything!" he pleaded.
"If you want to keep your career, you will open that briefcase and give me Marcus's private files," I commanded.
Mr. Sterling frantically popped the locks on his briefcase and handed me a red folder.
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"You need to see this immediately," the lawyer gasped.
"Marcus is not just broke, he has been stealing millions from someone you love."
