Chapter 6 - The Woman Behind the Deal
The woman’s name was Serena Vale.
She was Grant’s chief financial officer.
Claire had met her dozens of times at company dinners.
Serena was always polite.
Always controlled.
Always careful not to stand too close to Grant when Claire was watching.
The recording changed that.
Grant lowered his voice.
“Claire won’t sign voluntarily.”
“Then use the loan default,” Serena replied. “Tell her the house is already gone.”
“She’ll call a lawyer.”
“Not if you file first and freeze the accounts.”
Claire’s hand tightened around the phone.
Serena continued.
“Once she signs the divorce settlement, the buyer releases the final payment. After that, it doesn’t matter what she discovers.”
“What about my parents?”
“Your mother believes Claire nearly bankrupted you. Your father believes the lake house was always yours.”
Grant laughed quietly.
“They believe whatever I tell them.”
Claire stopped recording only when footsteps approached the door.
She returned to the bedroom before Grant saw her.
The next day, Nora traced Mercer Shore Development’s property purchases.
Grant’s company had acquired twelve parcels around the lake through separate shell corporations.
Claire’s house was the only property separating the proposed resort from the public road.
Without it, the project had no legal entrance.
The private investment group financing the resort had given Grant thirty days to secure Claire’s land.
If he failed, the entire deal collapsed.
His company would default on millions in loans.
“He isn’t divorcing you because the marriage failed,” Nora said.
“He’s divorcing you because he needs your signature.”
Claire looked at the lake through Nora’s office window.
“What happens if I refuse?”
“He may lose everything.”
That answer frightened Claire more than she expected.
Grant was not a man preparing to walk away.
He was a man cornered by debt, fraud and a deadline.
Before Claire left, Nora handed her a small recording device.
“Keep this near you.”
That evening, Grant announced that his parents were coming to the lake house for the weekend.
May you like
“We’re going to settle this as a family,” he said.
👉 Grant had already turned his parents against Claire, and now he was bringing them to witness the final pressure campaign.
