Chapter 7: The Trap
The following week was a war of attrition. Eleanor’s legal team filed an emergency petition in court, questioning Sarah's parental fitness based on her seven-year-old arrest record and demanding temporary custody of Leo pending a full investigation into the Sterling trust.
Ethan knew he couldn't just defend; he had to attack. He called a meeting with his private investigator, a sharp, tenacious woman named Detective Rita Vance.
"Eleanor’s weakness is her greed," Rita said, laying out a stack of financial documents on Ethan’s desk. "She’s been siphoning money from the Sterling Foundation for years to cover her gambling debts in Macau. But she’s careful. She uses shell companies."
"What about Victoria?" Ethan asked. "Victoria was her eyes and ears in this house for decades. She must know where the bodies are buried."
"Victoria is bitter about being fired," Rita noted. "She's currently staying at a motel on the edge of town, waiting for Eleanor to pay her off. But Eleanor is cutting ties. She views Victoria as a liability now."
A dark smile touched Ethan’s lips. "Then Victoria is our key. A loyal servant discarded by her master is the most dangerous enemy."
That evening, Ethan drove to the dilapidated motel on the outskirts of the city. Rain poured heavily against his windshield as he pulled up outside Room 104. He stepped out, his tall figure shrouded in a black trench coat, and knocked on the door.
The door creaked open, revealing Victoria. She looked disheveled, her immaculate appearance gone, replaced by tired eyes and a glass of cheap whiskey in her hand.
"Mr. Ethan," she gasped, stepping back in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to offer you a choice, Victoria," Ethan said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
"I have nothing to say to you," she spat, though her voice lacked conviction. "You destroyed my life for that maid!"
"Eleanor destroyed your life," Ethan corrected smoothly. "I know she hasn't answered your calls. I know she hasn't sent you the hush money she promised."
Victoria flinched, her silence confirming his words.
"In two days, Eleanor is going to court to try and take my son," Ethan continued, stepping closer. "When she fails, my legal team will file criminal charges against her for embezzlement. And when the police start looking at the financial records, who do you think she will blame for signing off on those fake invoices? You, Victoria. You signed the receipts."
Victoria’s glass trembled in her hand. "I... I was just following orders!"
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"The law doesn't care," Ethan said coldly. "Unless... you turn state's evidence first. Give me the records showing Eleanor framed Sarah seven years ago and embezzled the trust funds, and I will ensure you get full immunity. Refuse, and you will go to prison right alongside her."
Victoria sank onto the edge of the squeaky bed, her face pale, the reality of her betrayal finally sinking in.
