Chapter 14 - TWO MILLION DOLLARS
Eleanor requested private mediation.
The meeting took place in a glass-and-steel office high above downtown Chicago.
Eleanor sat at the head of the table.
A check waited in front of her.
Two million dollars.
"Take it."
Claire stared at the number.
Two million could save the center.
Pay every legal bill.
Buy a new building.
Give Lily a comfortable life.
Eleanor smiled.
"Move somewhere beautiful."
Claire picked up the check.
Eleanor leaned forward.
"All you have to do is sign Lily over to me."
Claire looked at the check one final time.
Then tore it in half.
Eleanor's smile vanished.
Claire tore it again.
And again.
The pieces fell onto the table.
"My daughter is not a commodity."
Eleanor's face hardened.
"You'll regret this."
"We know about the trust."
Silence.
"We know about the Cayman accounts."
Eleanor stopped breathing.
"And we know you're bankrupt."
Marcus placed the forensic report on the table.
"Eleanor, copies have already been sent to federal investigators."
The room went still.
Eleanor stared at Claire.
For the first time, she looked afraid.
Claire stood.
"You tried to buy my daughter."
She walked toward the door.
May you like
"You should have known better."
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