Chapter 22 - THE SHADOW OVER THE LAKE
By nightfall, a heavy autumn fog rolled off Lake Michigan, wrapping the small suburban neighborhood in an eerie, damp chill.
Lily sat at the kitchen table beneath the warm yellow light, carefully reviewing every single line of the court filing.
Detective Quinn arrived forty minutes later, setting a hot cup of coffee on the counter as she pulled out her official laptop.
"The law firm that filed this motion is funded by a blind trust registered in Delaware," Quinn revealed, her eyes fixed on the screen.
"It’s not just a custody battle, Lily; someone is trying to use Ethan to regain control of the frozen Blackwood foundation accounts," Quinn explained.
Outside the window, a dark SUV with blacked-out windows sat quietly at the corner of the street, its engine idling softly in the mist.
Victor stood near the dark living room window, watching the vehicle through the wooden blinds with absolute stillness.
"They think because I sold the mansion and closed the clubs, I am defenseless," Victor whispered, his knuckles turning white.
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Lily walked over, placing a gentle but firm hand on his arm, anchoring him before his old fury could consume him.
"We fight them in court with the truth, Victor," Lily said softly. "We don't become the monsters we escaped."
