Chapter 6 - The Sister-in-Law's Gambit
Jessica's testimony was the turning point.
She met with the prosecutor three days later and gave a full statement. She admitted to signing documents she didn't understand. She admitted to transferring money she knew was stolen. She admitted to knowing about the college fund.
And she admitted something else.
Brandon had threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone.
"I was scared," she said. "He told me he would hurt my family. He told me he would destroy me. I didn't know what to do."
The prosecutor listened carefully. Then he offered her a deal: full immunity in exchange for her testimony against Brandon and my parents.
She accepted.
The news spread quickly. Within a week, my parents had hired a defense attorney—a high-priced lawyer from Houston named Victor Cruz. He was known for representing wealthy clients with dirty secrets.
Victor called me personally.
"Ms. Chen," he said. His voice was smooth. Professional. "I'd like to discuss a settlement."
"I'm listening."
"Your parents are willing to return your college fund. The full amount. Plus interest. In exchange, you drop the civil suit and the criminal complaint."
I almost laughed. "They stole from me. They committed crimes. And now they want to buy their way out of it?"
"It's a generous offer."
"It's an insult."
There was a pause. "You should think carefully. Your parents are powerful people. They have resources. They have connections. If you continue down this path, you might find yourself isolated. Alone."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a warning."
"Then let me give you a warning." I gripped the phone. "I have evidence. I have witnesses. I have a lawyer who eats men like you for breakfast. If your clients want to settle, they can do it in court. But they're not buying my silence."
I hung up.
That night, I received a text from an unknown number.
"Watch your back."
I screenshot it and sent it to Elena.
"Threats," I typed. "Can we trace it?"
"I'm on it," she replied.
The next morning, Elena called me.
"The number is registered to a burner phone. I can't trace it directly. But I have an idea. Meet me at my office."
When I arrived, Elena was sitting at her desk with a map of Dallas spread out in front of her.
"Your parents are planning something," she said. "I've been monitoring their communications. They hired a private investigator to follow you."
"Who?"
"A man named David Kessler. He's a former cop. Disgraced. Lost his license for planting evidence."
"Great."
"He's been following you for two days. I have photos." She pulled out a series of surveillance images. Me leaving Grandpa's house. Me meeting Jessica. Me walking into my lawyer's office.
"What do we do?"
"We use it." Elena smiled. "We can file a restraining order. We can report Kessler to the police. We can make their lives very difficult."
"Do it."
Elena picked up her phone. "Already on it."
That afternoon, a police officer served my parents with a restraining order. They were forbidden from contacting me directly or indirectly. They were forbidden from hiring anyone to follow me.
The look on my father's face when he received the papers was worth more than any apology.
May you like
But I wasn't done.
I still had one more move.
