Chapter 5 - The Legal Crossfire
The blowback was immediate and ferocious.
At 11:00 AM the following morning, Julian’s phone rang continuously. Arthur Sterling, Victoria’s father and patriarch of the Sterling banking dynasty, bypassed two administrative assistants to storm Julian’s private line.
""Have you lost your damn mind, Julian?"" Arthur barked through the speaker. ""The police showed up at Victoria’s apartment with an arrest warrant! Do you have any idea what this does to our stock price? To our families' standing?""
Julian leaned back in his leather chair, listening with utter detachment. ""Your daughter committed a felony under my roof, Arthur.""
""It's a domestic misunderstanding! A nanny fabricating claims for a cash settlement! We can settle this privately. We'll give the girl five million dollars, send her across the country, and announce a mutual breakup due to conflicting schedules.""
""The evidence doesn't come from Clara Bennett's testimony alone,"" Julian replied, his voice dropping an octave, razor-sharp. ""It comes from fourteen distinct video logs, audio transcripts, and Dr. Morrison's forensic evaluation. Your daughter didn't just discipline a nanny. She intentionally shoved my son's crib into a wall, withheld nourishment, and struck a young woman repeatedly while screaming threats.""
There was a stunned silence on the other end.
""Furthermore,"" Julian continued, ""I have instructed our asset managers to initiate a total divestment from Sterling Capital. Our credit lines are withdrawn as of thirty minutes ago.""
""Julian, that will trigger our liquidity collapse! We’re partners!""
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""Partners respect each other’s children,"" Julian said coldly. ""Monsters do not get safe harbor. I will see your daughter in court, Arthur. And if you attempt to intimidate Miss Bennett, I will buy every distressed debt note your bank holds and bankrupt you before the trial even begins.""
Julian ended the call and placed the phone face down. The war was officially declared.
