Chapter 11 - The Counterstrike
For the next three days, our house was like a fortress under siege.
Gerald, Ruth, and Jenna tried every trick in the book to regain control. When blocking their phone numbers didn't stop them, they began using secondary lines, having mutual family friends call us to "mediate," and sending registered letters demanding that Robert return to Miller Commercial Holdings to restore their IT systems.
Without Robert’s proprietary code and administrative access, the firm’s online operations were paralyzed. Major corporate clients were unable to access their financial portals, and rumor was spreading fast in Oak Creek business circles that the firm was in total chaos.
On Tuesday morning, Robert met with his attorney, David Vance, a sharp, formidable lawyer who specialized in corporate law and privacy rights. I joined them at David’s office downtown.
"Your father’s legal team sent over a formal threat of litigation this morning," David said, sliding a thick folder across his glass desk toward Robert. "They’re claiming breach of fiduciary duty, intellectual property theft, and corporate sabotage."
Robert didn't even flinch. He picked up the folder, flipped through the pages, and tossed it back on the desk.
"The software code was copyrighted under my personal LLC three years before I took the CTO position at Miller Commercial Holdings," Robert stated calmly. "The company paid me a licensing fee year-to-year. The licensing contract explicitly states that upon my resignation, the license terminates immediately. They have zero legal standing."
David smiled faintly, nodding in approval. "I know. I read the original licensing agreement you signed six years ago. You set that up brilliantly, Robert."
"What about the DNA test?" I asked, leaning forward. "What they did to Mia... is that legal?"
David’s smile vanished, replaced by a stern, serious expression. "That is where we have them by the throat, Clara. Taking a minor child’s biological sample without the consent of her legal parents or legal guardians is a gross violation of privacy rights. Furthermore, Jenna hired a private investigator who actively spied on you, followed your daughter, and retrieved a discarded water bottle from a public park while Mia was under their care."
"Can we press charges?" Robert asked.
"Absolutely," David replied. "We can file a civil lawsuit against Jenna, Gerald, Ruth, and the private investigation firm for intentional infliction of emotional distress, violation of privacy, and civil harassment. We can also request an immediate temporary restraining order forbidding any of them from coming within 500 feet of your house, your school, or Mia’s elementary school."
Robert looked at me. I gripped his hand tightly, giving him a firm nod. We were done playing defense. It was time to fight back.
"Do it, David," Robert said. "File everything. Hit them with every legal weapon you have."
"Consider it done," David said, opening his laptop. "Oh, and Robert... there's one more thing you should know. Word gets around fast in the commercial real estate world. Two of your father's biggest clients, Vance Logistics and Apex Holdings, found out you left the firm. Their chief executives reached out to my office yesterday."
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Robert raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"They don't trust Gerald without you running the operations," David said, a sharp grin spreading across his face. "They want to know if you're planning to start your own firm. Because if you are, they’re ready to move their entire portfolios over to you."
