Chapter 209

Chapter 209

I didn’t move. Couldn’t.

For a moment, the world narrowed into sharp focus—Maeve’s smug smile, the polished mahogany desk between us, and the sound of my own heartbeat thundering in my ears.

She crossed one leg over the other, her designer heel swinging with calculated calm. “Sit down, Christabel. You’re making me nervous standing there like a deer in headlights.”

My spine stiffened, but I stepped into the room, closing the door behind me with a soft click. “You’re behind this?”

Her smile didn’t falter. “Peris and I go way back. You think you’re the only woman who knows how to play men? Please. He came to me after you humiliated him. Poor thing was devastated. So we decided to align our... interests.”

“Your interests being destroying my life?”

Maeve tilted her head. “Oh, sweetheart. This isn’t just about you. It’s about Liam. It’s about payback. You stole everything from me—my fiancé, my future. Do you think I was just going to disappear?”

“You tried to kill me.”

She shrugged. “That was a moment of weakness. Now, I prefer leverage. Paper trails. Custody claims.” She tapped the envelope on the desk. “This? This is power.”

I stepped forward, every inch of me trembling with fury. “Ryan isn’t a pawn.”

“Oh, but he is. A perfect, innocent little pawn. The media loves stories like this—‘Billionaire’s love child caught in scandal with vengeful exes and mistress-turned-secretary.’ It practically writes itself.”

I forced myself to stay calm. “What do you want, Maeve?”

“Simple.” She leaned forward, eyes glittering. “Walk away from Liam. Publicly. I want a press release by the end of the week saying you were just a rebound, that you’re moving on. You’ll transfer full custody to Peris. In return, the Paris video disappears. No media storm. No court battle. No boardroom fallout.”

I stared at her, horrified. “You’re insane.”

“No. I’m strategic. You should try it sometime.”

I clenched my fists at my sides. “Why are you even helping Peris? You hate him.”

She smirked. “Oh, I do. But I hate you more.”

The door opened behind us.

Liam.

His eyes locked on mine first—searching, worried—and then on Maeve, going cold in an instant.

“What the hell is this?”

Maeve straightened like a snake sensing heat. “Well, well. The devil himself.”

He didn’t respond to her venom. His gaze stayed on me. “You said you were handling this.”

“I was,” I said quietly. “I didn’t know she was part of it.”

“I should’ve known,” Liam muttered, stepping inside. “Of course Peris wouldn’t have the spine to do this alone.”

Maeve stood. “Be careful, Liam. You’re still walking a fine line. Your deal with the Easton Group is hanging by a thread. One wrong move, one scandal, and poof—your empire collapses.”

Liam’s voice was low, dangerous. “You think I care about my company more than I care about my family?”

“I think you care about control,” Maeve said sweetly. “And Christabel? She’s a liability.”

I moved to stand beside him, our shoulders brushing. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He didn’t say anything, but his fingers found mine.

Maeve’s smile faltered. “You’re willing to risk everything for her?”

“Yes,” Liam said flatly. “And if you come near my son again, I swear to God, Maeve—”

“Save the threats,” she snapped. “You’re not as untouchable as you think.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, finally finding my voice again. “Neither of you.”

Maeve glanced between us. “You should be. You’ve made enemies in powerful places.”

Then she reached into her purse, pulled out a USB drive, and slid it across the table.

“Consider this your preview. The video. The statements. Everything ready to go live the moment you step out of line.”

I stared at the tiny object like it was a bomb.

Maeve smirked. “Tick-tock, Christabel.”

Then she left, her heels echoing like gunshots on the floor.

—

Back in the car, Liam drove in silence, tension pouring off him in waves.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.

“For what?”

“I walked into a trap.”

“You were trying to protect us.”

“I should’ve known she wouldn’t be far from this.”

He pulled over into a quiet overlook, the skyline of Manhattan glittering in the distance.

Liam turned to me. “We need to be two steps ahead now. No more solo missions, Christabel. We do this together.”

I nodded, guilt weighing heavy in my chest. “She wants a public statement. She wants me gone.”

“Then she’ll be disappointed,” he said firmly. “Because you’re staying. And we’re fighting this.”

I hesitated. “What about Ryan? If this gets out…”

“We protect him. We prepare him. And we make damn sure no court believes Peris is a better father than me.”

“He’s not,” I said immediately. “You’ve raised Ryan. You’ve been there for him more than anyone.”

Liam reached for my hand. “Then we fight for him. And for us.”

—

The next day, we met with the lawyer—Amara Holt, one of the best in the city. She was sharp, fast-talking, and didn’t flinch once as we laid everything out.

After an hour of discussion, she leaned back. “This isn’t just a custody case. It’s a PR war. You’re going to need to control the narrative—fast.”

Liam nodded. “I’ll handle the press. You handle the legal fallout.”

Amara turned to me. “Christabel, do you have any documentation that proves Ryan’s emotional dependency on Liam? School letters, medical forms, anything signed?”

I nodded. “His pediatrician has Liam listed as emergency contact. School files too. And… there are letters Ryan wrote. For Father’s Day. I’ve kept them.”

“Good.” Amara made notes. “That helps build a case for continuity and emotional stability. Judges care about the child’s best interests.”

I swallowed. “And the video?”

Amara looked grim. “If it’s released, it’ll cause noise. But legally? Unless it shows abuse or criminal behavior, it’s more of a PR problem than a legal one.”

“Great,” Liam muttered. “Just what I need. More headlines.”

Amara stood. “I’ll file an injunction to block Peris from making contact until we have a court date. But if Maeve leaks anything, we go scorched earth.”

As we left the office, I turned to Liam. “Are we really ready for this fight?”

He looked at me, his jaw tight but his eyes soft. “We don’t have a choice. They’re coming for our son. And for you. I won’t let them win.”

I nodded, clinging to his strength, even as fear bubbled deep in my gut.

This wasn’t just about the past a
nymore.

This was war.

And we were all in.