Chapter 20
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Julian arrived at the school pickup zone precisely five minutes later, his SUV sliding smoothly up to the curb. He was exhausted from the strategy session with Marcus, his mind racing with defense tactics and corporate maneuvers, but the moment he saw Lily standing safely on the sidewalk, his heavy heart lightened.
Lily climbed into the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt with a bright smile.
"How was school, sweetie?" Julian asked, forcing a cheerful tone.
"It was great," Lily replied casually, slipping her blue notebook back into her bag. "But Dad, that black car from this morning? It's parked across the street again. By the big tree."
Julian’s hands instantly tightened around the steering wheel, his knuckles turning stark white. He looked across the street, confirming the presence of the idling sedan. The sheer audacity of the private investigator, brazenly photographing his daughter at her elementary school, ignited a primal, uncontrollable fury deep within his chest.
"Stay here, Lily," Julian commanded, his voice dropping to a low, lethal register. "Do not unlock the doors until I get back."
"Dad, be careful," Lily whispered, her eyes wide.
Julian didn't answer. He threw the SUV into park, stepped out into the crisp air, and slammed his door shut. He didn't jog or rush; he walked across the street with a slow, deliberate, and terrifying purpose.
As he approached the driver's side of the black sedan, the window quickly rolled up, but Julian reached out and slammed his open palm violently against the glass, the loud smack echoing down the quiet street.
"Roll it down," Julian ordered, his voice easily penetrating the glass.
The window slowly rolled down a few inches. A nervous-looking man in a cheap suit stared back at him, a digital camera resting in his lap.
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"I know Arthur Sterling is paying you," Julian said, his eyes burning with absolute, unyielding authority. "And I know Victoria is trying to build a case against me. But if I ever see you within a hundred yards of my daughter's school, my home, or my vehicle ever again, I won't call the police. I will personally drag you out of this car and dismantle you. Do you understand me?"
The investigator swallowed hard, nodding frantically before slamming the car into gear and speeding away.
