Chapter 5 - The Desperate Strike
Driven by blind rage, Grace lunged past Mark, her hands clawing directly toward little Leo to pull him away from Catherine.
"He's coming with me!" Grace shrieked hysterically. "If I don't get this family's money, I'll make sure this child suffers every single day of his life!"
Before her fingers could touch Leo's suit, Mark grabbed Grace by both wrists, twisting her away with firm, undeniable physical strength. He held her pinned in place as two private security officers—hired by Catherine prior to the ceremony—marched down the aisle toward the gazebo.
"Get your hands off me!" Grace screamed, thrashing against Mark's grip. "Mark, you loved me! You swore to protect me at the altar!"
"I swore to protect my family," Mark said, his voice dropping into a deep, guttural tone of absolute finality. "And you are the biggest threat my family has ever faced."
Mark let go of her wrists, stepping back as the two security guards took hold of Grace's arms, locking her firmly in place.
"Mr. Whitmore," the lead security officer said, pulling out his two-way radio. "The local police department is parked outside the main gate. Your mother filed a formal complaint for child endangerment and criminal extortion two hours ago."
Grace stopped thrashing, looking at Catherine with wide, disbelieving eyes. "Extortion? I didn't extort anyone!"
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"You demanded two hundred thousand dollars from my personal account last Tuesday," Catherine revealed, pulling up a series of text message screenshots on her phone screen. "Threatening to take Leo away if I didn't fund your offshore investment account."
👉 Read Part 6 to see what happened when the police entered the garden reception.
