Chapter 4 - The Threat Escalates
News of the terrace incident spread through the elite social circles like wildfire, but Margaret wasn't going down without a vicious fight.
By mid-afternoon, tabloids and online gossip blogs began publishing scandalous headlines: “Pregnant Stepmother Accused of Neglect: Is the Family Fortune at Risk?”
Margaret had leaked a twisted story to the media, framing Claire as an unstable, gold-digging stepmother who had provoked the argument at the fountain to push Margaret out of the family. She even hired a dirty PR firm to spin false narrative reports that Claire was unfit to raise Ivy.
At 3:00 PM, a knock sounded at the front gates. Two representatives from Child Protective Services arrived at the mansion, flanked by a police officer.
Daniel met them in the foyer, his eyes blazing with indignation. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Mr. Vance, we received an emergency report alleging physical danger and domestic instability in this home regarding your daughter, Ivy,” the lead caseworker said professionally. “We are required by law to conduct an immediate home inspection and interview the child.”
Claire stepped into the foyer, standing tall despite her physical discomfort. “I am Claire Vance. Please, come in. You can inspect whatever you need.”
For two agonizing hours, the caseworkers interviewed Ivy separately and inspected the living conditions. Margaret had hoped that the stress of a CPS investigation would cause Claire to break down, panic, or trigger a premature delivery.
However, seven-year-old Ivy spoke with absolute clarity to the caseworker: “My Grandma Margaret is mean. She pushed me into the water and told me to lie. Claire saved me. Claire is my mom now, and I love her.”
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When the caseworkers emerged from the room, the lead agent smiled gently at Claire and Daniel. “It is abundantly clear where the real threat was coming from. The report is completely dismissed. In fact, we will be filing a formal note regarding false reporting against the caller.”
Their first attack was thwarted, but Daniel knew his mother was getting more desperate by the hour.
