Chapter 5 - The First Crack.
Grant called six times after Ava left the penthouse.
She did not answer.
Instead, she sent the photos of the blue-folder documents to Rebecca through a secure upload link.
By early evening, Rebecca called back with a financial attorney named Marcus Lee on the line.
Marcus spoke carefully.
“The transfers may be legitimate business transactions.”
Ava listened.
“But the timing, the account structure, and the language in these emails justify a full review before you sign anything.”
Ava looked at Daniel.
“What should I do?”
“Preserve records you already have lawful access to.”
Marcus continued.
“Do not guess, do not accuse, and do not remove original company property.”
That last part mattered to Ava.
She did not want revenge.
She wanted facts.
At seven thirty, Grant finally sent a message instead of calling.
DINNER TOMORROW.
PUBLIC PLACE.
NO LAWYERS.
WE TALK.
Ava showed it to Rebecca.
“Can I go?”
“You can.”
Rebecca paused.
“But remember that you are not obligated to agree to anything in the room.”
The next morning, Ava received another message from the unknown number.
HE WILL OFFER YOU MONEY TO LEAVE QUIETLY.
Ava typed, “Are you Elise?”
No answer came.
She tried again.
“Why are you helping me?”
The typing indicator appeared.
Then vanished.
Nothing followed.
At six that evening, Ava arrived at a restaurant overlooking the river.
Grant had chosen a corner table away from the busiest part of the room.
He stood when she approached.
For a moment, he looked like the man she had married.
That was the most dangerous part.
He pulled out her chair.
“Thank you for coming.”
Ava sat without responding.
Grant waited until water was poured before speaking.
“This has gone too far.”
Ava folded her hands.
“You brought Elise into our home.”
“I know.”
“You gave me an ultimatum.”
“I was angry.”
“You sent me paperwork the next morning.”
Grant looked away for half a second.
“That was counsel being overprepared.”
Ava almost admired the smoothness of the explanation.
Grant reached into his briefcase and placed a thin envelope on the table.
“There is another option.”
Ava did not touch it.
“What is it?”
“Enough money for you to get your own place, cover expenses for Nora, and take time to decide what you want.”
Ava heard the unknown warning in her head.
He will offer you money to leave quietly.
“How much?”
Grant named a number large enough to sound generous and small enough to be insignificant compared with the penthouse and their joint assets.
Ava nodded slowly.
“What do I give up?”
Grant’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Why do you assume you give up something?”
“Because you brought an envelope.”
For the first time, he smiled.
It was not warm.
“You always were sharper than people thought.”
Ava let the sentence settle.
People.
Not him.
Not we.
People.
She opened the envelope but did not remove the document.
“What is Elise to you?”
Grant’s smile disappeared.
“That is not relevant to the agreement.”
“It is relevant to me.”
“She works with the company.”
Ava had not known that.
“What does she do?”
Grant leaned back.
“Compliance.”
The word landed like a dropped glass.
Ava thought of the bank records in the nursery.
Of Elise’s fear.
Of the anonymous warning.
Grant watched her closely.
Ava forced herself to look confused instead of alarmed.
“Compliance with what?”
“Internal operations.”
Ava closed the envelope.
“I am not signing this.”
Grant’s voice became quieter.
“You have not even read it.”
“I will have my attorney read it.”
His fingers tightened around his water glass.
“Ava, not everything needs to become a legal battle.”
“Then stop sending legal documents.”
She stood.
Grant remained seated.
“You are going to regret listening to the wrong people.”
Ava looked down at him.
“Which people?”
For one second, his expression gave away too much.
He knew someone was talking to her.
Ava left the restaurant without another word.
As she stepped outside, her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
HE KNOWS SOMEONE WARNED YOU.
May you like
A second message followed.
I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TEXT AGAIN.
