He Dared Me to Kneel, I Hit Him With Law

Chapter 3

When I got home, my father, Gerald Sutton, was sitting on the sofa smoking. The ashtray was full.

"Lydia." His voice was rough. "The Harlows called. They said they're pulling out the investment unless you go and apologize to Gemma on your knees and sign over the south-side mansion to Caden as emotional distress damages."

My mother was beside him, wiping her eyes. "What is this? Who does that Gemma think she is? A chauffeur's kid they took in out of charity, and now she thinks she owns the place?"

I sat down and poured myself a glass of water. "Dad, how big is the funding shortfall?"

"Three hundred million."

"If Caden goes to prison, will his assets be frozen?"

My father blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing. Dad, we're not giving up the house. And there will be no apology."

I pulled a printout of the relevant statutes from my bag. "What they're doing is extortion. The amount they're demanding qualifies as large-scale extortion. Ten years, minimum."

My father sighed. "Lydia, this isn't the time for a law lecture. In business, you keep the peace. The Harlows are too powerful to cross."

Just then, my backup phone buzzed. My backup phone lit up — a text from Gemma, with a photo attached.

In the photo, she was lying on Caden's bed wearing my pajamas. Caden was shirtless, smoking.

Gemma: Your man says I look better in this than you do. You're too uptight, like a school disciplinarian. He can't even get it up for you.

A voice message followed, Gemma's voice bright and cheerful. "Don't be mad, okay? He's just in a bad mood. I'm keeping him company. Men need an outlet, you know. Since you can't give him what he needs, I'm just being a good sister and keeping him company."

I saved the photo and flagged the voice message as evidence. "In most states, when an engagement breaks down due to one party's infidelity, all property transfers and business agreements tied to that engagement become grounds for a damages claim. "

The reply came instantly: "Hahahaha! You're insane! All you do is quote laws. No wonder he doesn't want you. He needs to blow off steam tonight, and since a useless thing like you can't help him, I guess it's on me."

I wasn't angry. I was waiting, waiting for them to go further.

The next morning, the group chat blew up.

Rex: Lydia, come out and play! Caden says if you show up, he'll let yesterday go.

A location pin followed, somewhere on the outskirts of the city, a gated estate in the suburbs.

Rex: Pool party. Keep it casual. Swimwear welcome.

Gemma chimed in as well: You have to come. I've prepared a little surprise just for you. We'll have a drink, just us girls, and clear the air.

I stared at the pin. Private property. A pool. Dress light.

I typed back a single word: Sure.

I changed into athletic wear and packed my bag with pepper spray, a body camera, and an emergency hammer.

My father stopped me at the door. "Lydia, don't go. That place is a trap."

I tied my laces. "You have to walk into the lion's den to get what you're after, Dad. I'm going to get the evidence to take them all down in one sweep. That three hundred million, I'll make them pay back every cent with interest."

I stepped outside into the bright morning sun. A perfect day for a lesson in the law.