CHAPTER 6: STRIPPED OF EVERYTHING
Three days later, the rain poured relentlessly over the city, matching the grim reality of Julian Barrett’s life.
Barrett Enterprises had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The mansion was surrounded by federal agents and forensic accountants, sealing off rooms and tagging furniture. Julian and Victoria had been forced to move into a dingy, two-bedroom apartment in a rundown district of the city—a place Victoria wouldn't have even allowed her dogs to sleep in previously.
"This is unacceptable!" Victoria shrieked, throwing a cracked plastic cup against the stained wallpaper of the living room. "We need to countersue! Evelyn is still legally your wife, Julian! You are entitled to half of the Vance fortune! Use the marriage contract!"
Julian sat at the small kitchen table, staring at a stack of legal documents. He looked gaunt, his eyes bloodshot, his beard unkempt. "There is no Vance fortune for me, Mother. Arthur Vance’s lawyers sent the divorce papers this morning. They aren't offering a settlement. They are demanding full custody of the child, a complete waiver of my parental rights, and if I don't sign... they are filing criminal charges for domestic abuse and attempted murder."
"Attempted murder?!" Victoria gasped. "That girl fell! It was an accident!"
"We both know it wasn't an accident," Julian said, his voice dead. He looked at his mother with a sudden flash of resentment. "You pushed her. You told me she was cheating. You showed me that fake DNA test. I ruined my life because of your pride!"
"How dare you blame me!" Victoria screamed, stepping closer. "I did everything to protect our legacy! If you were man enough to control your wife, we wouldn't be in this position!"
While they argued, a sleek black Mercedes pulled up outside the dilapidated apartment building. A man in a sharp grey suit emerged, carrying a leather briefcase. It was Mr. Sterling, Arthur Vance’s primary legal counsel.
He walked into the apartment without knocking, two large security guards standing at the door.
"Mr. Barrett," Sterling said, placing a document on the table. "My client is giving you exactly one hour to sign these divorce and custody papers. If you sign, Mr. Vance will allow you to keep this apartment and avoid immediate arrest. If you refuse..."
"How is she?" Julian interrupted, his voice cracking. "How is Evelyn? And... the baby?"
Sterling looked at Julian with cold professionalism. "Mrs. Vance gave birth to a healthy baby boy two days ago. He has been named Arthur Vance Jr. He is safe, and he will never know your name. Sign the papers, Mr. Barrett."
Julian grabbed the pen. His hand shook. He thought of his son—a boy he would never hold, a boy who would grow up hating him. He thought of Evelyn, the beautiful girl who used to smile at him with absolute devotion, now turned into an unreachable goddess of vengeance.
"Don't sign it, Julian!" Victoria yelled, trying to snatch the pen. "We can fight them!"
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Julian pushed his mother’s hand away and quickly scribbled his signature on the dotted line. "It's over, Mother. We lost."
But Victoria’s eyes narrowed into a terrifying, manic glint. As Sterling took the papers and left, she whispered to herself, "It's not over. If I can't have the Barrett legacy, that orphan won't enjoy her victory either."
