Chapter 4 - The Shadow WarOver the next three weeks, Margot played the role of her life. She continued to cook Lucas his meals, ask about his day, and smile meekly whenever he made condescending remarks about her "novel-writing hobby."
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Evelyn Vance was executing a masterclass in financial retaliation.
Using the recording from the signing night and the forensic photos, Evelyn served confidential subpoenas to the off-shore banks in the Caymans and the local financial institutions handling Lucas’s firm. Because Lucas had illegally transferred funds using forged signatures over several years, Evelyn’s team managed to freeze the accounts under emergency fraud injunctions—without notifying Lucas directly.
To Lucas, everything seemed to be going according to plan. He was preparing for a grand "investor gala" at the city’s top hotel, an event where he intended to launch his new luxury development project with Melisa Vance.
Two days before the gala, Margot was sitting in Evelyn’s office.
"We have him cornered, Margot," Evelyn said, displaying a flow chart of Lucas’s assets. "He took out a $2 million high-interest bridge loan from a private lender to secure the development deal for the gala. He used the Pine Ridge house as collateral—assuming he owned it outright thanks to those papers you signed."
"And he doesn't?" Margot asked.
"Not only does he not own it, but three days ago, we filed the original property deeds and the invalidation suit based on the forged power of attorney," Evelyn grinned. "The court accepted the emergency petition. As of this morning, the Pine Ridge house is entirely in your name under a protective freeze. The bank loan he secured using the house? It’s defaulted due to invalid collateral."
Margot felt a chill run down her spine. "Does he know yet?"
"Not yet," Evelyn said. "The financial regulators and process servers are scheduled to deliver the formal notice... right in the middle of his grand speech at the gala on Saturday night."
Margot looked out the window. She thought back to the thirty-two years she had given this man. The sacrifices, the quiet evenings waiting for him, the belief that they were a team.
"No, Evelyn," Margot said quietly, turning around. "Don't send a process server."
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Evelyn blinked in surprise. "Margot, this is our best chance to ruin him legally."
"Oh, he will be ruined," Margot replied, a cool, terrifying calm settling over her face. "But a process server is too easy. I want to deliver the papers to him myself."
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