Chapter 5 - Desperate Measures
By 9:30 AM, Warren and I were reviewing the property deeds in our legal suite three floors down. The news of Vance Logistics' financial instability had already begun leaking to the press, sending their stock prices plunging by 15%.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Derek walked in alone. He was no longer the arrogant heir who watched his mother dump ice water on me. His hair was messy, his suit unbuttoned, and his hands trembled as he closed the door.
"Camille... please," Derek whispered, walking toward me. "Can we talk alone? Just husband and wife?"
Warren stepped forward, but I raised my hand, stopping my father. "Give us three minutes, Dad." Warren nodded sternly and stepped into the adjoining office.
Derek fell to his knees right in front of me, grabbing the hem of my blazer. "Camille, I’m sorry! I was wrong! My mother made me do all of it! She threatened to disinherit me if I didn't agree to set up those offshore accounts!"
"You watched her pour ice water on me, Derek. You told me to stop making a scene while I was shivering on the floor carrying your baby."
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"I was stupid! I was scared of her!" Tears welled in Derek's eyes. "We can fix this. We can move away, raise our daughter together. Just drop the buyout and help me regain control from my mother!"
I looked down at him with pure disgust. "You don't love me, Derek. You're just terrified of going to prison." I pulled my coat away from his grip. "Your time is up."
