Chapter 14 - The Final Desperate Move
However, toxic people rarely accept defeat quietly.
In early April, Ethan’s software firm, Vanguard Analytics, was finalize a multi-million-dollar buyout offer from a major Silicon Valley tech conglomerate. The deal was set to make Ethan financially independent for life and elevate his company onto the national stage.
Three days before the formal signing ceremony at the downtown Hilton hotel, a new threat emerged.
I was picking up Mia from her preschool when I noticed a sleek black sedan parked across the street. As I buckled Mia into her car seat, a woman wearing sunglasses stepped out of the vehicle and walked toward us.
It was Natalie.
"Claire," she called out, her voice shaky.
I instantly stepped between Natalie and Mia, my instincts on high alert. "Stay right there, Natalie. I will call the police immediately."
"Please, don't!" Natalie begged, holding up her hands. She looked exhausted, pale, and desperate. "I'm not here to fight. I need your help."
"Help with what?"
"Mom has completely lost her mind," Natalie confessed, her eyes wide with fear. "She found out about Ethan’s company buyout in the business journal. She's planning to go to the press conference on Friday and crash the stage. She hired some tabloid photographer to take pictures of her crashing the event, claiming Ethan left her destitute while making millions."
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I stared at her. "Why are you telling me this, Natalie?"
Natalie looked down at her worn sneakers. "Because she tried to force me to help her break into Ethan’s office last night to steal financial records. I realized... she doesn't love any of us. She just wants to destroy Ethan because she lost control over him. I can't be part of it anymore."
