Chapter 3
I headed straight for the elevator, Caleb following close behind.
In Daniel's office, Emily sat in his chair, sorting through documents.
She jumped up when she saw us, flustered.
She flashed a sweet smile. "Ava! You're here? Daniel's in a meeting. Should I get him?"
"No need, I'll wait," I said, settling onto the couch and glancing around his office.
Hanging on the wall, framed like a masterpiece, was a design that was painfully familiar. It was my concept sketch from three years ago.
But now, the signature at the bottom read "Daniel Pierce."
"Who designed that?" I asked, pointing to the frame.
Her eyes followed my finger. "Oh, that's Daniel's signature work! It's the design that really put the company on the map."
"Really?" I stood and examined it closely.
Just as I suspected, my original signature had been clumsily altered.
"I'm the one who created this design," I said, turning to face her. "Daniel stole my work."
Her face went white. "That's not possible. This is his most famous project from three years ago."
"I drew this three years ago. It was an early concept I left on my hard drive," I said with a sneer. "It seems Daniel doesn't just want my future. He wanted everything I made."
The door flew open. Daniel walked in.
His expression darkened when he saw Caleb.
"What are you doing here?"
"Taking back what's mine," I said, gesturing to the wall. "That's my design. I want you to take it down. Now."
Daniel glanced at it dismissively. "I drew that. Since when is it yours?"
"Daniel, I know exactly what you're capable of as a designer. A concept at this level is far beyond your abilities."
"Is it?" he sneered. "Don't flatter yourself, Ava. Without my company to promote them, your designs are worthless."
Caleb stepped forward, his presence commanding the room. "Mr. Pierce, intellectual property theft is a serious crime. I strongly advise you to admit your mistake."
"Crime?" Daniel scoffed, looking at Caleb with contempt. "She's my wife. Using my wife's work is a crime now?"
"She won't be your wife for long," Caleb replied, pulling a document from his briefcase. "This is the divorce agreement. Sign it."
Daniel didn't even look at it. "I told you, I'm not signing!"
"Then we'll proceed with legal action," Caleb said, calmly putting the document away. "But first, Mr. Pierce, I think you need to understand who you're dealing with."
He produced a business card and held it out.
Daniel snatched it. His eyes scanned the embossed text, and his face instantly went slack with shock, the blood draining from it.
"Managing partner of Mercer & Partners Law Firm?"
"That's correct," Caleb said evenly. "Still think you can do whatever you want?"
Daniel's hand trembled as he gripped the business card.
Mercer & Partners Law Firm was the most elite firm in the city, serving only major corporations and government entities.
"How are you with Mercer & Partners?" Daniel's voice was barely a whisper.
"Because it's my family's firm," Caleb stated as casually as if he were commenting on the weather.
I stared at him, completely stunned.
I had known Caleb's father was a lawyer, but I never in a million years imagined his family was that powerful.
Across the room, Emily had gone pale and was trying to shrink into the shadows.
"Even if you're from the Mercer family, you can't force me to get a divorce," Daniel snarled, clinging to his last shred of defiance.
"You're right. I can't force you," Caleb said with a chilling smile. "But I can make you want to."
He pulled out his phone and played an audio recording.
"Emily, don't forget to take the pill tonight. We can't let Ava find out you're pregnant."
"Don't worry, Daniel. I'll handle it."
"Good. As soon as we land the downtown project, I'll divorce her. Then we can finally be together for real."
The voices belonged to Daniel and Emily. There was no doubt.
My blood ran cold.
Emily was pregnant?
"Where did you get that?" Daniel demanded with a livid face.
"Your office has terrible soundproofing, Mr. Pierce," Caleb said, pocketing his phone. "Walls have ears, as they say."
My gaze snapped to Emily. Her hand was protectively cradling her belly, with raw terror written across her face.
"You're actually pregnant?" I confronted her.
Emily bit her lip silently.
"Answer me!" I snapped.
She glanced at Daniel helplessly. "I... I... Yes. Two months."
The words hit me like lightning.