Financial Warfare

Diane's POV

I sat at the polished oak table in Joan's office, my fingers tapping nervously. Tension was palpable in the air as we waited for Liam and his attorney to show up. My best friend turned lawyer Joan was doing a final check through our files. 

Joan looked up from her papers and added, "Remember, Diane, we have the upper hand here." We have a lot of credible evidence."

I nodded and touched the folder containing screenshots of text messages, hotel receipts, and pictures that proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that Liam had an affair with my sister Sophie. Although the betrayal still hurt, it now strengthened my resolve. 

We both looked up as there was a loud knock on the door. Liam and Richard Holbrook, his lawyer, were brought in by Joan's assistant. When our gazes locked, I noticed a glimmer of familiarity and discomfort beneath Liam's typically haughty exterior. He was aware of what was about to happen.

"Let's get this over with," Liam murmured, taking his seat across from me.

 Holbrook cleared his throat and set out a stack of documents. "We've prepared a settlement offer that we believe is more than fair, given the circumstances." 

Joan quickly skimmed through the papers as she grabbed for them. Her lips pressed into a narrow line, and I watched as her eyebrows wrinkled. 

"Fair?" Sliding the paperwork back across the table, Joan scoffed. This is demeaning. Mr. Ashton, my client is entitled to half of your joint assets. This is not even close to what is offered."

Liam leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. "Half? That is ridiculous. Diane did not establish this empire; I did." 

I couldn't hold back any longer. "Built it while cheating on me with my own sister, you mean?" 

The room went silent. Liam's jaw clenched, but he did not appear astonished. Holbrook, on the other hand, gave his client a skeptical glance. 

"Mr. Ashton, what is she talking about?" Holbrook inquired, his voice full of bewilderment.

My heart was racing, but I kept my hands still as I reached for the folder in front of me. "Allow me to enlighten you, Mr. Holbrook." I started arranging the evidence on the table, including pictures of Liam and Sophie checking into hotels, receipts from romantic dinners, and screen grabs of their private text conversations.

 Holbrook's eyes grew wide upon seeing the incriminating evidence arranged in front of him. His expression was a mix of disbelief and rage as he turned to confront Liam. "You were aware of this? How come I wasn't told?"

Liam ducked from his lawyer's stare, a mask of icy rage on his face. He whispered, "It wasn't relevant."

 "Wasn't relevant?" Holbrook broke out. "This changes everything!" 

Joan bent over, speaking in a steady yet forceful tone. We have ample proof to demonstrate Mr. Ashton's adultery, as you can see. Given this, together with the fact that Mrs. Aston made a substantial contribution to their personal and professional life during the marriage, we are requesting an equitable distribution of all marital assets."

Liam's expression distorted with rage. He got up abruptly, his chair scrapping against the floor. "This is blackmail!" You have been spying on me, right? "This is an invasion of my privacy!"

 I too rose up, matching his rage. "Privacy? You gave up all right to privacy when you opted to fuck my sister behind my back!" 

Do you honestly think I'm a fool? 

Holbrook, still stunned from the revelation, restrained Liam's arm. "Please seat down, Mr. Ashton. We should have a calm discussion about this. This... this alters our entire plan.

Liam pushed off his lawyer's hand and stayed standing. "Do you want half?" Fine. But I will fight you every step of the way. Diane, you have no idea what I am capable of. 

Liam was fuming, his cheeks flushing with rage. He leaned across the table, his tone low and intimidating. "Do you think you won something here, Diane? This is only the beginning. I will fight you every step of the way. When I'm finished, you'll be lucky to afford a cardboard box to live in.

I stood up, matching his fury. "No, Liam." You have no idea what I am capable of. You thought you could dismiss me, leaving me with nothing. But I refuse to let you destroy my future in the same way that you wrecked our marriage. 

Joan interjected, her voice fierce. "Mr. Ashton, threats will not help you here. We have evidence of your infidelity, and we believe there is more to discover about your finances. I advise that you reevaluate your position." 

Holbrook, looking increasingly agitated, turned to Liam. "We need to rethink our position. This fresh knowledge... Mr. Ashton, we'll need to have a private talk right away."

Liam looked at me, his words low and threatening. "It's not over, Diane. You're going to regret this." I maintained his look, refusing to be intimidated. "No, Liam." The only thing I regret is not recognizing you for who you truly are sooner. 

With that, Liam rushed out of the room, followed by a very shaken Holbrook. As the door slammed shut, I sank back into my chair, the excitement rushing out of my body. 

Joan sat next me and squeezed my hand. "You did brilliantly, Diane. "We have him cornered."

I nodded, exhausted but determined. "What's our next move?" Joan's eyes gleamed with determination. "Now we're going to dive deeper. 

The infidelity, in my opinion, is only the beginning. Who knows what more Liam has been keeping hidden if he was willing to betray you in this way and conceal it from his own attorney?" 

I had a fresh feeling of direction as we started to organize our next course of action. Liam had misjudged me, believing that I would just roll over and take whatever morsels he bothered to toss my way. But there was a severe lesson in store for him.

The conflict had begun, and I was ready to fight for every dime I deserved. Not only for myself, but also for the future that I had worked so hard to create. Liam felt he had all the cards, but he was about to discover that I had an ace up my sleeve - and I was not scared to use it.