Checkmate at the Dinner Table

The moment Drake stepped inside the dining room, his presence completely dominated the space.

David's face contorted into a mask of pure rage. Refusing to swallow his pride as the head of the Mendez family, he puffed out his chest, trying to act imposing as he demanded to know who allowed an outsider to interfere.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" David barked, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Who gave you the right to barge into our family affairs? A nobody little lawyer thinks he can come into my home and control me?!"

Drake didn't even grant David a glance. Completely ignoring his outburst, he stepped directly between David and me, shielding me from his sight.

"Are you okay?" Drake asked, his deep voice dropping into a soft, steady cadence that instantly grounded me.

"Don't worry, I'm fine here now. Let me handle the rest."

From across the table, Chloe let out a sharp, mocking laugh, her innocent facade replaced by a condescending sneer. "So... looks like you found yourself a little boy toy, huh, Aurelia? I never knew you were this wild, sis. Is Jacob not enough for you anymore?"

She sat there, smiling like a delusional fool. The sheer urge to reach across the table and claw that smug look off her face burned inside me. Enjoy it while you can, Chloe, I thought bitterly. Let's see if that smile stays on your face when your Paris dream crumbles into nothing.

As I opened my mouth to speak, Drake gently held up his hand, stopping me. His eyes swept across the dining room, taking in the shattered glass on the carpet and the heavy silver spoon lying near my feet.

In an instant, the temperature in the room plunged. A suffocating, icy aura radiated from Drake, his eyes turning dangerously cold as he locked his gaze onto David.

"You just made this personal, Mr. Mendez."

Before David could utter another word, Drake reached into his suit coat, pulled out an official document bearing the Mercer Clan's silver crest, and slammed it down onto the table—right over their untouched dinner plates.

"Consider this a legal gift," Drake sneered, "to put an end to all your pathetic ambitions."

He flipped open the binder, his authoritative voice cutting through the heavy silence like a razor.

"Pursuant to the High Court's directive, an immediate interlocutory injunction has been imposed on all assets associated with the Sofia Mercer Estate. This includes a temporary restraining order prohibiting the commercialization, exhibition, or transfer of ownership of any unreleased archives. Any attempt to violate this order will result in immediate criminal prosecution."

A sharp, ear-piercing scream shattered the room. Valerie gasped dramatically, clutching her chest as she desperately tried to play the victim.

"No! This is a complete misunderstanding!" Valerie shrieked, her voice trembling as she turned her terrified eyes on me. "Aurelia! You can't do this to us! Are you really going to let these strangers ruin our family?! They're just trying to turn you against us! Do you really want to see your father in pain?! And Chloe is your sister! She's innocent!"

I watched her frantic performance with a dark, twisting satisfaction. She was trying so hard to guilt-trip me, but the tears streaming down her face were real now—born of sheer terror. Save your tears, dear stepmother. This is only the opening act.

"And by the way, Ms. Chloe," Drake added smoothly, his lips twisting into a cold smirk. "Let me officially inform you that the Paris Exhibition Committee has already been formally served with a copy of this audit notice."

A chaotic crash echoed through the dining room. Chloe lost her mind completely. Her fake, sweet mask vanished entirely, exposing the vicious monster underneath.

"Shut up! Shut your mouth!" she screamed hysterically, sweeping her arm across the table and sending crystal glassware, porcelain plates, and high-end decor crashing onto the floor. "You're lying! I can't lose my career! I won't lose Paris! Mom, tell them! No! Damn you, Aurelia! This is all your fault!"

I watched her thrash around like a lunatic, throwing whatever she could get her hands on. So fragile, I thought, a chilling sense of empowerment settling over me. In my past life, you managed to kill me, yet here you are, completely unraveling over a legal notice. I'm just getting started, sister. You will pay back every single debt with interest.

I stopped hiding behind my meek act. Looking at Chloe, I let a calm, victorious smile spread across my face—the same smug look she used to give me.

"You built your entire career on stolen brushstrokes, Chloe," I said softly, my voice carrying effortlessly over her hysterics. "Did you really think a fake queen could sit on the throne forever? The truth always finds its way out. The art world isn't blind, dear sister. The moment they cross-examine your work with the original archives, they will see every stolen line."

I gave her my sweetest, coldest smile. "Thanks for the lovely family dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed the show."

I stood up, stepping past the mess on the floor and leaving my untouched plate behind.

"Aurelia! As your father, I command you to stop right there!" David roared, stepping forward as he tried one last time to exert his authority. "Stop this madness right now, or I will disown you!"

I didn't even bother turning around. The old Aurelia who craved his love was dead. The woman standing here today didn't survive hell just to let a weak man play king. Before David could take another step toward me, Drake shifted his weight, his tall, imposing figure completely blocking David's path and locking him in place.

Seconds later, I stepped back into the safety of Drake's luxury van.

The moment the doors slid shut, the adrenaline rushing through my veins began to settle. Before I could process the quiet, Drake grabbed my shoulders, his hands moving quickly and gently across my arms and back.

"Let me see if you're hurt," he said urgently, checking me over like I was made of fragile glass. "Don't move... Are you alright? He threw a spoon at you..."

"Drake, I'm fine—"

"You were incredible," he interrupted, looking up at me with raw pride and affection. "You stood your ground. A true Mercer—strong and capable."

Before I could reply, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and tapped open an encrypted text message from the contact I had placed to spy on Jacob.

[Spy]: Jacob just got word about the Mercer estate injunction and frozen accounts. He's furious. Boarding an emergency flight back to town right now.

"Well, well," I murmured, staring at the glowing screen with intense excitement in my eyes. "It looks like my next debtor is rushing back to join the party."

I looked up at Drake, my smile turning sharp. "Let him come. His time is up anyway."