At eight months pregnant, my husband kicked me out of the brand-new car and left me trembling beside the highway. “You’re bad luck,” he sneered. “I won’t let you ruin this car—or my life.” I said nothing as he drove away, unaware the vehicle had been purchased entirely with my inheritance. By midnight, I had called the dealership, my lawyer, and one person who could make him regret ever touching me… - True Stories / Chapter 15 / 40

Chapter 15 - The Meeting Begins

Derek didn’t wait for introductions. He slammed his hands down on the obsidian table, leaning forward aggressively.

"This entire stunt is illegal, Lena," Derek declared, his voice booming in an attempt to dominate the space. "You locked me out of my house, stole my car, and forced me to stay in a hotel. My lawyer is preparing a massive civil suit for emotional distress and financial sabotage."

Vivian chimed in, adjusting her expensive pearl necklace. "My son is a victim. You are clearly having a psychological break, Lena. The pregnancy hormones have made you hysterical and easily exploited by these... people." She gestured disdainfully toward Naomi and Elias. "We are going to request an emergency psychiatric hold."

The cheap lawyer Derek had hired nervously cleared his throat, trying to look imposing. "My clients are prepared to offer a settlement. If Mrs. Grant drops the protective order and restores access to the joint accounts, we will overlook this episode and proceed with a quiet, amicable separation."

Naomi Chen didn't blink. She didn't argue. She simply slid one of the sleek tablets across the smooth table, stopping it exactly in front of Derek’s lawyer.

"If your client is the victim of a hysterical, unstable woman, Counselor," Naomi said, her voice dripping with professional lethal intent, "then you should have absolutely no concern about reviewing the evidence we have submitted to the district attorney."