Chapter 2: The Mirage of Power
Mark spent the next twenty-four hours in a state of manic denial. He tried to laugh it off, pouring himself a drink while Vanessa demanded to know why the "bitch" was still on his mind. But the cracks appeared quickly.
When Mark went to his private bank account to wire a "generous" settlement to get rid of Claire, the app flashed a glaring red error: Account Frozen – Beneficiary Review Required.
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He laughed, thinking it was a glitch. He drove to his law firm, his custom suit feeling heavy with the sweat of sudden anxiety. When he walked into the boardroom, he expected his lawyers to handle it. Instead, they stood up, their faces grim.
"Mr. Sterling," the senior partner said, not meeting his eyes. "The trust that funds this firm… it was re-registered under an LLC called 'Clara Rose Holdings' three years ago. We are no longer your counsel. We are hers."
