Chapter 5 - The War Begins
Three days later, the high-rise glass building of Holloway Logistics in Manhattan was surrounded by news vans.
What Grant had built over fifteen years was unraveling at breakneck speed. Major corporate clients were canceling contracts to avoid being associated with his ruined public image. The board of directors had placed him on administrative leave pending an internal investigation into his personal conduct and financial dealings.
Inside a high-end law firm in downtown Boston, Mark sat across from Attorney Elena Vance—one of the top family law attorneys in New England, known for taking down powerful, abusive men. Sitting beside Mark was little Lily, wearing a blue sweater and drawing quietly on a pad of paper.
“The viral video is powerful evidence, Mr. Holloway,” Attorney Vance said, reviewing the legal filings on her desk. “It clearly demonstrates emotional coercion and attempt to manipulate court proceedings through a minor. However, Grant still holds legal joint custody under the temporary agreement. He has filed an emergency motion demanding the immediate return of Lily, alleging that you, Mark, are harboring her illegally, and that Sarah has committed international child abduction by taking Noah to London.”
“Sarah had legal clearance for Noah,” Mark pointed out firmly. “Noah’s medical records and school transfers were signed off by the previous judge during the preliminary hearing. Grant only had temporary weekend visitation for Lily.”
“That’s true,” Vance replied. “But Grant’s legal team is aggressive. They are arguing that Sarah took Noah out of the jurisdiction to force Grant’s hand. If we want to secure full, permanent sole custody of both children for Sarah—and bring Lily to London safely—we need to strike hard, and we need to do it now.”
Suddenly, the door to the conference room flew open.
Grant walked in, flanked by two attorneys in tailored suits. He looked unkempt—his tie was loose, the dark circles under his eyes were prominent, and his usual posture was gone, replaced by a dark, volatile rage.
“Get my daughter out of here,” Grant snarled, looking directly at Mark. “Now.”
Lily flinched, pulling her legs up onto the chair and hiding behind Mark’s arm.
Mark stood up immediately, stepping between Grant and the small girl. “You need to back off, Grant. You’re violating a police trespass warning just by approaching me.”
“She’s MY daughter!” Grant roared, slamming his palm onto the mahogany table. “I made her! I pay for her life! You have no right to keep her from me!”
Attorney Vance stood up calmly, pressing a small button on her desk phone. “Security, please bring two officers to Conference Room B immediately.” She turned to Grant, her expression like steel. “Mr. Holloway, you are currently in my law office, committing verbal assault in front of a minor child while under active investigation for child endangerment. Every second you stay in this room is being recorded on high-definition security cameras.”
Grant’s lead attorney caught his arm, leaning in to whisper sharply into his ear. “Grant, calm down. The press is downstairs. If you get arrested in an attorney’s office, the board will terminate your CEO contract by tonight.”
Grant’s jaw worked furiously. He breathed heavily, his dark eyes glaring at Mark, then shifting down to Lily, who was shivering with fear.
“You think a viral video changes anything, Sarah?” Grant barked toward the conference room camera, assuming I would watch the footage later. “You’re in London with no job, no money, and no power. I have forty million dollars. I will drain you until you are homeless. You will never see Lily again.”
May you like
Two security guards entered the room. Grant sneered, brushed off his attorney’s hand, and turned toward the door.
Before he walked out, he paused and looked back at Mark. “Tell my ex-wife that Vanessa and I are filing a ten-million-dollar defamation suit against her tomorrow morning. Let’s see how long she lasts in court when she can’t even afford a lawyer.”
