Chapter 6 - The Ghost of the Past
The media storm broke the next morning.
Michael Reynolds had leaked the story to a tabloid. The headline read: TECHVISION CEO CRACKING UP? BILLIONAIRE HARBORS RUNAWAY IN PENTHOUSE AMIDST MERGER CRISIS.
But Michael’s sabotage had an unintended, devastating consequence.
Three days later, as Jonathan’s lawyers were pushing through the emergency foster paperwork, the security intercom at the penthouse buzzed.
"Mr. Miller," the lobby guard said, sounding nervous. "There is a man down here. His name is Marcus Vance. He has a birth certificate... he says he is Emma’s biological father."
Jonathan’s blood ran cold. Emma, who was sitting at the kitchen island eating pancakes, dropped her fork. Her face drained of all color. "No," she whispered, terrified. "No, please, don't let him take me."
"He won't," Jonathan said, his voice dropping to a lethal octave. "Stay here with Maria."
Jonathan took the private elevator down to the grand lobby. Standing near the marble reception desk was a scruffy man in a cheap suit, reeking of stale alcohol and cheap cologne. Beside him stood Michael Reynolds, sporting a smug, victorious smile.
"Hello, Jonathan," Michael said smoothly. "I thought it was only right to help reunite a father with his child. You see, Marcus here was heartbroken to learn his little girl was wandering the streets. And as her biological father, he has full legal custody."
Marcus stepped forward, rubbing his hands together. "That's right, Mr. Miller. She's my blood. Now, I'm a reasonable man. Raising a kid is expensive. But if you were to, say, compensate me for my emotional distress... maybe five million dollars... I might be convinced to sign over my parental rights. Otherwise, I'm taking her out of here right now."
It was extortion. Plain, simple, and vile. Michael had found the biological father and bankrolled him to create a scandal so massive Jonathan would be forced to resign.
Jonathan looked at Marcus. He didn't yell. He didn't threaten. He just smiled—a cold, terrifying smile that made seasoned Wall Street sharks tremble.
"Marcus," Jonathan said softly. "You abandoned a minor. That is a felony. My security team has already tracked down the security footage from the bus station from three months ago. I also own the debt collection agency that holds your $400,000 gambling debt."
Marcus’s face went pale.
Jonathan took a step closer. "You have two choices. Choice one: You sign the termination of parental rights right now, and you walk out of here with your debt erased, but not a single penny more. Choice two: I unleash my legal team. I will have you imprisoned for child abandonment, reckless endangerment, and extortion. And when you get to prison, I will ensure every inmate knows exactly what kind of man you are."
Marcus swallowed hard, looking at Michael for help, but the CFO had suddenly gone quiet, realizing he had underestimated Jonathan’s ruthlessness.
"Give me the pen," Marcus muttered.
May you like
Ten minutes later, the biological father signed his rights away and vanished out the revolving doors.
Jonathan turned his attention to Michael Reynolds. "And as for you, Michael. You're fired. Security will escort you to your desk to collect your personal items. If you ever come within a hundred yards of my daughter again, I will bury you."
