Chapter 5

"Caleb, what is all this about?" Mr. Lambert asked.

I handed him the report I'd already prepared, which was a complete psychological evaluation from one of the city's top hospitals.

"Mr. Lambert, this is a comprehensive assessment I completed last week. The results show I'm in excellent mental health."

He flipped through the pages, but his expression didn't soften. "Even so, the impact of that post is serious. Clients are talking. Two major accounts have already asked to switch lead counsel."

Of course, I knew.

That was Lucy's real objective. She wanted to ruin my career, cut off my income, and turn me into someone who could only cling to her to survive.

I walked out of Mr. Lambert's office. In the hallway, my colleagues watched me with openly curious looks.

I went back to my office, closed the door, and called Evan.

"Evan, I need a favor. Pull all the call records between Lucy and that childhood friend of hers who runs a psychiatric hospital. I need everything from the past five years."

Evan laughed on the other end. "Oh? So you're finally hitting back?"

"She went after my livelihood. I have to return the favor."

That afternoon, Ms. Sweeney called. There was a hint of excitement in her voice.

"Mr. Hatcher, your 'asset-allocation mastermind' of a wife is a real gem."

"Get to the point."

"First, the founder of the renewable-energy company, Jean, was involved in an illegal fundraising case three years ago. Lucy was her defense attorney and helped her get a reduced sentence.

"In return, once Jean got out, she agreed to work with Lucy to set up a scheme, pull in more investors, and split the money."

I let out a humorless laugh. "Two of a kind."

Ms. Sweeney went on. "Exactly. Second, and this is the most interesting part. Over the past three years, Lucy funneled a total of 37 million dollars from your family fund through an SPV she registered in the Reindell Islands, all under the guise of overseas asset allocation.

"On paper, the money was invested in an art fund based in Palomara. In reality, the fund's only assets were a few limited-edition vintage supercars parked in a garage under her father's name, along with anonymous ownership of a private winery in Valeroux.

"On the books, the investment showed heavy losses due to market volatility. In fact, the money had simply changed form and ended up as private assets in her family's hands."

I felt my heart sink.

Ms. Sweeney continued, "She pushed you to guarantee Jean's new project because she'd already drained the books moving assets around. She needed fresh money to fill the old gaps and, at the same time, pull you down with her."

She clicked her tongue on the other end of the line. "She's using your own money to dig a hole for you, then making you grateful for it. Mr. Hatcher, Lucy is a damn genius at financial fraud."

I ended the call and stared out at the sky as it slowly darkened.

37 million dollars.

I'd earned that money the hard way, grinding through one case after another. Every dollar was blood and sweat. She took it, casually laundered it, and made it hers.

And yet she wouldn't even spend 800 dollars on Mom's rent.

I picked up my phone and called Mom.

"Mom, don't stay in that old building anymore. I bought you a new place downtown. It has an elevator. It's fully renovated, so you can move right in. I'll come get you tomorrow."

On the other end, her voice wavered with surprise and unease. "Caleb, t-this must cost a fortune. Did you talk to Lucy about it?"

"Mom, this is from me. It has nothing to do with anyone else."

After I hung up, I sent Ms. Sweeney a message.

"Put all the evidence into the most airtight legal opinion you can. I want Lucy ruined in court."