Chapter 5 - The Gatekeeper
Outside the iron gates of the Beaumont estate, rain was beginning to fall. Ethan stood beside his luxury sedan, his suit drenched, arguing loudly with two stone-faced private security officers.
“I am her husband!” Ethan shouted, pounding his fist against the iron bars. “You have no legal right to keep me from my wife!”
The heavy gates slowly swung open, but instead of letting Ethan enter, a single black SUV pulled out and stopped in front of his car.
The rear window rolled down. Charles Beaumont looked out at his son-in-law with cold indifference.
“Charles!” Ethan rushed over, gripping the window frame. “Please, talk to Claire! Tell her I’m begging for five minutes. Just five minutes to explain!”
“You have nothing to explain, Ethan,” Charles said calmly, his voice steady against the sound of rain. “You made your choice on live television in front of the entire world.”
“It was a mistake! A publicity stunt that went too far!” Ethan lied desperately, his voice cracking. “I love Claire! I love our baby! You can’t ruin my company over a personal issue!”
Charles looked at him with profound pity. “You still don't understand, do you? Your company was never yours, Ethan. You were a brilliant presenter with a good idea, but my family’s money built the bridge you walked across. When you disrespect my daughter, you break the bridge.”
“I’ll sue you!” Ethan threatened, his desperation turning to rage. “I’ll take half of everything in the divorce!”
Charles faintly smiled. “My legal team filed a petition for full custody and a temporary restraining order an hour ago. Attached to it was an itemized list of every dollar you diverted from Northstar accounts to buy gifts for Ms. Vale.”
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Ethan froze, the color draining entirely from his face.
“Go home, Ethan,” Charles advised softly as the SUV window rolled back up. “Or what's left of your home.”
