Chapter 16 - The Mother's Fury
While federal agents were pounding on Celeste’s door, Sarah Marlowe was sitting in the quiet calm of the hospital room, holding a steaming cup of terrible cafeteria coffee. Lily was awake, propped up on soft pillows, watching cartoons on the small television and blissfully unaware of the corporate bloodbath happening in her name.
Felix walked into the room, looking exhausted but entirely victorious.
"It's done," Felix said softly, taking a seat beside Sarah. "Celeste’s assets are frozen. The cyber team traced the crypto payment directly from her hidden offshore account to the assassin's broker. The FBI is arresting her right now."
Sarah let out a long, shuddering breath, closing her eyes as tears of profound relief slipped down her cheeks. "She can't hurt us anymore."
"She will never see the light of day again," Felix promised.
Sarah opened her eyes and reached into her purse, pulling out her phone.
"There is one more thing I need to do," Sarah said, her voice steady and resolute. She scrolled through her contacts and pressed call.
The line rang three times before Odette Kingsley answered, her voice dripping with haughty irritation.
"Sarah. I assume you are calling to negotiate a settlement," Odette stated coldly. "I am willing to offer you five million dollars to sign a non-disclosure agreement and disappear back to the Pacific Northwest."
"Keep your money, Odette," Sarah said, her voice echoing with the fierce, unyielding power of a mother who had just fought for her child's life and won. "I am not calling to negotiate. I am calling to give you a warning."
"You are in no position to warn me of anything," Odette scoffed.
"Felix just triggered the founder’s clause," Sarah revealed smoothly. "He is forcibly removing you from the board of directors. And I have just officially filed a massive federal lawsuit against the Kingsley Hospitality Group for the theft of my intellectual property, backed by undeniable DNA evidence of Felix's paternity."
Odette was completely silent on the other end of the line.
"You thought you could buy my silence seven years ago because I was young and scared," Sarah continued, her eyes locked onto her smiling daughter. "But you made one fatal mistake, Odette. You threatened my child. You are going to lose your company, your legacy, and your son. Have a wonderful morning."
Sarah ended the call, dropped the phone back into her purse, and turned to look at Felix.
"Was that too harsh?" she asked, a small, genuine smile playing on her lips.
May you like
Felix laughed, a rich, joyous sound that filled the sterile hospital room. "It was absolutely perfect."
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