Chapter 8 - Natalie's Betrayal
Defeated and humiliated, Dominic staggered out of the courthouse through a back exit to avoid the flashing cameras of the press. He made his way to a cheap diner three blocks away, his last credit card declining when he tried to order a cup of black coffee.
As he sat in a vinyl booth, his phone vibrated. It was an incoming call from an unknown number.
He answered desperately. "Hello?! Is this the bank?!"
"Dominic," a sharp, familiar voice came through the speaker. It was Natalie.
"Natalie!" Dominic hissed, gripping the phone tightly. "Where are you?! You stole my extra Rolex from my safe before you left!"
"Oh, please, Dominic," Natalie scoffed over the line. "That watch paid for my apartment lease for the next six months. I'm calling to let you know that I just signed an exclusive interview deal with New York Post. I'm telling the whole world how you coerced me into helping you scheme against the Bennett family."
Dominic’s blood ran cold. "You crazy bitch! It was your idea to go to the hospital! You wanted her out of the house!"
"Nobody believes a broke, disgraced lawyer, Dominic," Natalie chuckled coldly. "The Bennett Foundation gave me a very generous legal protection fund in exchange for my full, sworn testimony regarding your corporate tax evasion at Vance Legal."
"What?!" Dominic gasped, pushing himself up from the booth. "You spoke to Audrey's team?!"
"Audrey is much smarter than you ever were," Natalie replied casually. "She offered me a clean exit and medical coverage for my baby if I handed over your firm's secondary ledger. Thanks for the coat, by the way. Bye, Dominic."
May you like
The line went dead.
Dominic dropped the phone onto the Formica table, his chest collapsing as panic seized his breathing. Tax evasion. Federal investigators were going to be at his door before sunset.
