Chapter 3 - The Counter-Attack
The press conference was held right outside the hospital. While I couldn't be there physically, Marcus stood before a wall of microphones, flanked by forensic accountants.
"My client, Clara Vance, is currently recovering from third-degree burns inflicted by her mother-in-law, Vivian Vance, with the full complicity of her husband, Daniel Vance," Marcus announced to the flashing cameras. "But this is not just a case of horrific domestic abuse. It is a case of systematic fraud."
Marcus held up a thick manila folder.
"We are officially submitting evidence to the federal prosecutors showing that Daniel Vance has embezzled over $4 million from his own clients, using his mother’s shell corporations to launder the money. He believed he was funding this lifestyle using his wife’s inheritance. However, we have the original, legally binding trust documents. Every single dollar Daniel attempted to steal from Clara was actually diverted into a monitored escrow account. He hasn't just failed to rob his wife—he has actively documented his own federal crimes."
As the news broadcasted Marcus's speech live, I watched from my hospital bed.
Within an hour, my phone began to ring off the hook. It was Daniel’s attorney, his arrogant tone completely gone.
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"Clara, please," Sterling pleaded when I finally answered. "Let’s talk. Daniel is willing to agree to an immediate, uncontested divorce. He will waive all rights to any property. Just withdraw the financial evidence from the DA."
"Tell Daniel," I whispered into the phone, "that I am a prosecutor at heart. I don't settle with criminals. I destroy them."
