Chapter 7: Checkmate in Family Court
The following morning, Khloe sat in the sunlit breakfast nook of her new temporary estate in the Hamptons. Uncle Richard had secured the compound under a shell LLC completely untraceable to Marcus.
She sipped her decaf tea, looking out at the crashing ocean waves. For the first time in months, she could breathe.
Her peace was interrupted by Elias Vance marching into the room, a thick folder tucked under his arm. Despite the early hour, the ruthless lawyer looked entirely too awake.
"Morning, Khloe," Elias said, dropping the folder onto the marble table. "We have a slight complication. Marcus isn't running. He’s fighting."
Khloe set her teacup down, her expression hardening. "I thought his assets were frozen."
"They are. But he pawned his private watch collection overnight. He used the cash to hire Davis & Sterling, the most aggressive family law firm in the state," Elias explained, leaning forward. "He’s filing an emergency injunction for sole custody of the unborn child."
Khloe’s hands instinctively moved to her stomach. A cold, maternal fury ignited in her chest. "On what grounds?"
"He’s claiming you are mentally unstable. He’s going to argue that your hostile takeover of Thorne Industries proves you are a vindictive, erratic woman unfit to raise an heir. And unfortunately, the Jonathan Thorne Trust only activates if the child is in his custody." Elias sighed. "He doesn't want the baby, Khloe. He wants the child as a hostage to get his company back."
Khloe stared at the legal documents. Marcus thought he could still play the game. He thought because he was a man cornered, he was the most dangerous thing in the room. He was wrong.
"Let him file," Khloe said quietly.
Elias blinked. "Khloe, if we let this go to a judge—"
"I said, let him file, Elias," Khloe repeated, looking up. Her eyes were as cold as glaciers. "When is the preliminary hearing?"
"Tomorrow at noon."
"Perfect." Khloe stood up, smoothing her maternity dress. "Draft a counter-suit. I don't want just full custody. I want his parental rights permanently terminated. And I know exactly how we’re going to do it."
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Elias looked intrigued. "You have leverage?"
"I have something better," Khloe smiled. "I have his mother."
