Chapter 28 The Price of Walking Away
Chapter 28 The Price of Walking Away
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Lenora leaned in and, upon seeing the 500 million settlement demand, let out a short laugh.
Arms crossed, she sneered, “Well, I thought you finally grew a spine and stopped clinging to Zach like a leech. Turns out you’re just here for the money. Let me guess, you forged the signature, too?
“Seriously, have you looked in the mirror? Do you really think you’re worth half a billion? You you think you were married to Zach for two years and didn’t even pop out a kid. What makes deserve a dime? You should be walking away with nothing.”
Melody nodded in agreement. “Lenora’s right. Unless you walk away with absolutely nothing, there’s nothing to talk about. Quit putting on a show–it’s making me sick.”
Anneliese didn’t respond to their jabs. Calm and composed, she began to lay out her case with perfect clarity.
“First of all, Zacharias and I are legally married. We never signed a prenuptial agreement. I was by his side when he built Clauderias Tech, which, under the law, makes it marital property.
“Second, I have undeniable proof that Zacharias cheated. He’s clearly the one at fault in this marriage.”
Both Lenora and Melody’s expressions darkened when they heard that. It was obvious they already knew about Zacharias keeping a mistress.
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Anneliese’s lips as she reached for a stack of photos and videos from her attorney and tossed them onto Melody’s lap.
“Take a good look.”
She stepped aside and shot her lawyer a glance. He adjusted his glasses and stepped forward with calm, professional poise.
“Ms. Zwick, here’s concrete evidence of your son Zacharias‘ affair with a woman named Coral. This file includes recent bank statements showing that he has spent over ten million on her. He even bought her brother and his wife a vacation home. All of these expenditures were made using marital funds.
“If my client proceeds with a lawsuit and seeks divorce on grounds of infidelity, Zacharias will be required to make significant concessions in the division of assets.
“Now, while I’m not saying he’ll be left penniless, the court is likely to order a 50/50 split.
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Chapter 28 The Price of Walking Away
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“According to my research, Clauderias Tech’s valuation has multiplied by more than two or three hundred times in the past two years. Your son’s current net worth is easily over ten billion. Even at half, my client stands to receive five billion.”
Melody’s face turned ghostly pale. She looked down at the photos, the bank records, and the explicit videos that had just started playing–and was visibly shaken.
The lawyer’s tone left no room for doubt, and Melody suddenly looked like she might faint.
“T–This isn’t my son. You faked these! You’re trying to trick me!”
“You know very well whether Zacharias cheated and whether this evidence is real.
“I’m hurt, and I can’t face him anymore. I just want to cut ties clean and walk away with what I’m owed.
“If you think I don’t deserve even 500 million, that’s fine. I’ll stay married to Zach and wait it out. Clauderias Tech is only going up. Give it two or three more years, and I’ll be walking away with over ten billion. I’m in no rush.
“Oh, and by the way–I find Zach disgusting now. So, if you were still hoping for a grandkid, you can forget it. I’m not having a child with that man.”
Her voice was clear and almost musical. She brushed away a fake tear from the corner of her eye, feigning sorrow and heartbreak, then met Melody’s shifting gaze and said, “That’s all I have to say. It’s your choice now–have your son quietly get divorced and let me leave, or keep dragging this out until we all suffer. I’ll give you some time to think.
“If you don’t believe me, go ahead and consult another attorney.
“But don’t say I didn’t warn you–this needs to be handled before Zacharias finds out. If he does, well, I guess I’ll have no choice but to remain your daughter–in–law. Just don’t expect me to keep pretending to play nice. Your son lost his charm a long time ago.”
Anneliese finished speaking and gave Melody a quick wink.
She straightened her back, ran her fingers through her long curls, pulled out a pair of sunglasses from her bag, and walked away without a hint of hesitation or regret.
Behind her, the lawyer gave the stunned Melody and Lenora a polite nod and handed them his card.
“I represent Ms. Claude. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. But it’d be best if
made a decision by the end of the day.”
you
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Chapter 28 The Price of Walking Away
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As Anneliese stepped out of the hospital room, she could hear Lenora panicking behind her.
“Mom! Mom, your eyes are rolling back–breathe! Deep breaths!”
Then came the sound of heavy breathing and the clatter of something crashing to the floor.
Anneliese didn’t turn back.
She entered the elevator with her lawyer, who had stood stiff as a board the entire time–until the doors closed. Then, he broke into a goofy grin.
“So… how was I? Pretty professional, right?”
