Chapter 5: The First Strike
By mid-afternoon, Claire had already made her first real moves.
She sat in a video call with her legal team and financial advisors. Margaret Hale was on the screen, along with two forensic accountants Claire had hired eighteen months earlier.
“I want a full audit of Voss Capital,” Claire said calmly. “Every account, every transfer, every expense over the last five years. I want to know exactly how much of my money went into that company and where it ended up.”
One of the accountants, a sharp woman named Lena, nodded.
“We’ve already started pulling records. There are several large transfers from your personal accounts into Voss Capital that don’t appear to have any clear business purpose. We’re also seeing payments to Patricia Voss that were categorized as ‘consulting fees.’”
Claire’s mouth tightened slightly.
“How much?”
“Over four hundred thousand dollars in the last three years alone,” Lena replied.
Margaret spoke next.
“If we can prove those were personal expenses disguised as business ones, we can go after Harrison for financial misconduct during the marriage. It could significantly strengthen your position in any remaining asset disputes.”
Claire nodded.
“Do it. And I want the building audit as well. I want to know exactly how much rent Voss Capital has been paying and to whom.”
There was a brief pause on the call.
Margaret leaned forward slightly.
“Claire… are you sure you want to go this hard this fast? Harrison’s legal team is already preparing motions. They’re going to claim you’re being vindictive.”
Claire looked directly into the camera.
“I’m not being vindictive, Margaret. I’m being thorough. They spent five years treating me like I was disposable. Now they’re going to learn that I was the one holding everything together.”
After the call ended, Claire sat in silence for several minutes.
She knew this was only the beginning. Harrison would fight. Patricia would cry and manipulate. But Claire had spent too long being the quiet, accommodating wife.
That version of her was gone.
She picked up her phone and sent a single message to her head of security.
Increase monitoring on all properties. Harrison and Patricia are no longer welcome anywhere under my name.
Then she closed her laptop and looked out at the city.
May you like
The first strike had been made.
Now she would wait and see how they responded.
