CHAPTER 6: THE ATTORNEY
Eleanor Vance was everything I expected.
Sharp. Ruthless. Fearless.
She met us in her office. A high-rise in downtown Chicago. Windows overlooking the city.
"Sophie," she said. "I've heard a lot about you."
"All good, I hope."
"All interesting."
We sat down.
"Your grandmother told me about the recording. About the evidence. She told me everything."
"Then you know what we're up against."
"Yes. Charles Blackwell is one of the most powerful men in the world. He has judges in his pocket. Politicians on his payroll. He's untouchable."
"Then how do we stop him?"
She smiled.
"By being smarter than him."
"What do you mean?"
"We don't go after him directly. We go after his money."
"His money?"
"Charles's empire is built on fraud. Embezzlement. Money laundering. If we can prove his financial crimes, the rest will follow."
"How do we do that?"
"We need access to his financial records. His bank accounts. His transfers."
"How do we get that?"
"Through you."
I stared at her.
"Through me?"
"Charles's father—your grandfather—left you something. An inheritance. A share of the family fortune. Charles has been hiding it from you for years."
"He has?"
"Yes. And if we can prove that, we can force him to reveal his financial records."
I took a deep breath.
"Where do I sign?"
"Not here. We need to file a formal request. In court. In front of a judge."
"Will they listen?"
"They will if we have enough evidence."
We spent the next few weeks preparing. Gathering documents. Building a case.
And then we filed the request.
Charles's lawyers tried to block it. They claimed I had no standing. They claimed I was just a bitter ex-fiancée looking for revenge.
But the judge saw through it.
"The request is granted," he said. "Mr. Blackwell, you will provide access to your financial records within thirty days."
Charles's face went white.
May you like
And I knew we had won.
END OF CHAPTER 6
