Chapter 4: The Legal Typhoon
Chapter 4: The Legal Typhoon
When Matthew was pushed into the hospital room by two of Henderson's largest security guards, he didn't look like the arrogant billionaire who had swung a cane at me hours before. His suit was wrinkled, his hair was messy, and panic rolled off him in waves.
He looked at me, lying in the bed, and then his eyes shifted to my father.
"Arthur," Matthew pleaded, taking a step forward before a guard clamped a hand on his shoulder. "Clare, please. This is a misunderstanding. We had a fight. Couples fight! But your father is destroying NexusCore! Everything we built!"
"Everything I built," I corrected him, my voice steady, amplified by a cold fury that had replaced my fear. "You didn't build NexusCore, Matthew. You were just the handsome face I put on the brochure because I was too afraid to defy my father openly."
"Clare, think about our life! The penthouse, the future—"
"The penthouse is in my name, paid for by a trust fund you didn't know existed," I said, looking at him with utter disgust. "The car you drove to Lauren's hotel room? Registered to a Sterling subsidiary. You have nothing."
Matthew’s face went dark, the desperate pleading vanishing, replaced by the ugly beast I had seen last night. "You think you can destroy me? I have the intellectual property! The source code for NexusCore’s algorithm is registered under my personal holding company!"
My father let out a short, terrifying laugh.
"Matthew," my father said, stepping between him and my bed. "You should check your email. Your personal holding company was built on a signature loop that required Clare’s co-authorization for all intellectual property transfers. Since she never signed the final amendment, the code belongs entirely to her. You own a shell company with twelve million dollars in debt and zero assets."
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Right on cue, the heavy doors of the hospital floor opened. Two detectives from the NYPD walked into the room, carrying a plastic evidence bag containing the antique hickory cane.
"Matthew Hayes?" the lead detective asked. "You're under arrest for aggravated felony assault and domestic battery."
