Chapter 3 - The Assets
By Monday morning, Liam was in a full-blown panic.
I woke up to forty-seven missed calls and a string of frantic text messages. Sarah, my cards are declining. Sarah, they won't let me into the corporate accounts. Sarah, answer the damn phone, Monica’s hotel bill is bouncing!
I made coffee, poured a cup, and sat at the kitchen island while Chloe watched cartoons in the living room, eating pancakes. She was still quiet, still skittish, but the color was returning to her cheeks.
My phone buzzed. It was Richard, my ruthless wealth manager and attorney.
“Good morning, Sarah,” Richard’s smooth voice came through the speaker. “I trust you slept well? Your husband has been calling my office since 6:00 AM.”
“Did you freeze everything?” I asked, taking a sip of the dark roast.
“Everything,” Richard confirmed with a hint of amusement. “The joint accounts are locked down. I revoked his access to the investment portfolios. I even called the dealership and reported the Tesla as stolen since it’s registered to your LLC and he is no longer an authorized driver.”
“Good. Have the police picked it up?”
“They impounded it an hour ago outside a very cheap motel off Interstate 5,” Richard chuckled. “Now, about the divorce filings…”
“Full custody,” I said firmly. “Supervised visitation only, if any. I have documented photos of Chloe’s bruises, and we are going to a pediatrician this afternoon to have them officially entered into a medical record.”
“I’ll have the emergency injunction filed before lunch,” Richard promised.
May you like
As I hung up, Jackson’s secure file transfer pinged on my laptop. I opened the dossier on Monica Vance. As I read through the federal intel, a slow, predatory smile spread across my face.
Monica Vance didn't exist. Her real name was Valerie Cross, and she had active warrants in three states for wire fraud and identity theft. Liam hadn't just brought a mistress into my home; he had brought a fugitive.
