Chapter 5 - The Legal Strike
Maya didn't just know a lawyer; she worked as a paralegal for Eleanor Vance, the most ruthless, terrifying family law attorney in the state. Eleanor was a woman who ate arrogant men for breakfast and flossed with their bank statements.
We sat in Eleanor’s plush downtown office later that afternoon. Julian had printed out the transaction history.
Eleanor adjusted her designer glasses, her sharp eyes scanning the documents. "The 529 account required dual signatures for any non-educational withdrawal," she noted, tapping a manicured nail against the mahogany desk. "Elena, did you authorize any of these?"
"Never," I said firmly. "I haven't spoken to Mark outside of text messages about Julian’s schedule in five years."
"Then we are looking at systemic wire fraud, forgery, and embezzlement," Eleanor said, a dangerous, predatory smile spreading across her face. "Mark works in wealth management, doesn't he?"
"Yes," Julian answered. "He's a senior partner at Sterling & Hayes."
Eleanor laughed softly. It was not a warm sound. "Not for long. The SEC and FINRA take a very, very dim view of financial advisors who commit felony fraud, particularly when they forge signatures to steal from minors. If we play this right, we don't just get your money back. We get punitive damages, and Mark goes to federal prison."
"Do it," I said without hesitation. "Take everything he has."
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"We need to move quickly and quietly," Eleanor instructed. "We file an emergency injunction to freeze all of Mark and Tiffany's assets tomorrow morning. By the time they realize they're being sued, their credit cards will be declining at the grocery store."
As we walked out of the office, I looked at Julian. The panic from that morning was gone, replaced by a steely resolve. He was my son, through and through.
