Chapter 3 : The Final Counter-Move
Chapter 3 : The Final Counter-Move
The peace they had found, however, was violently interrupted three days later.
Ethan was leaving a charity gala at the downtown library when a black luxury sedan cut across the private driveway, blocking his town car. The rear door swung open, and Arthur Vance—Victoria’s formidable, old-money father—stepped out onto the pavement. His face was a mask of cold, aristocratic fury, his expensive trench coat catching the damp night air.
"Ethan," Arthur hissed, stepping toward him while two private bodyguards flanked the car. "We need to speak. Right now."
Before Ethan’s driver could step out, a sleek white security vehicle pulled up behind the sedan, its high-beam lights flooding the driveway. Grace stepped out of the driver's side, her hand resting firmly and calmly against the security console on her belt. Two of the Grand Lexington's top security officers moved instantly to stand between Arthur Vance and Ethan.
"Mr. Vance," Grace said, her voice dropping into a dangerous, unyielding tone that made the billionaire freeze in his tracks. "You are currently violating a civil protection order filed by Carter Holdings legal counsel. If you take one more step toward Mr. Carter, my officers will detain you for felony stalking and harassment before your private security team can even put their vehicle in reverse."
Arthur laughed, a sharp, bitter sound, though his eyes darted nervously to the body cameras glowing green on Grace’s lapel. "You’re the maid. The little snitch who ruined my family’s merger."
"I am the Head of Security for the asset group that currently holds the primary lien on your family's remaining real estate portfolio, Mr. Vance," Grace replied smoothly, stepping directly into his line of sight. "Your daughter’s defense team tried to claim the video was edited. What they don't know is that we recovered the physical bottle of tablets from the hotel's industrial waste system, completely intact, with Victoria's fingerprints preserved under the cap."
Arthur’s jaw tightened, the last trace of his high-society arrogance draining from his face as the absolute finality of his defeat sank in.
May you like
"The Carter family isn't your bank account anymore, Arthur," Ethan said, stepping up beside Grace, his posture entirely unbroken. "Every contract your daughter tried to force me to sign has been completely voided by the state prosecutor. Take your car, leave this city, and prepare for the trial. Because I promise you... the truth isn't going to be silent anymore."
Without another word, Arthur Vance backed into his sedan, the door slamming shut as the vehicle sped away into the dark city streets, leaving the driveway completely silent.
