Chapter 8 - The Smear Campaign
When financial threats failed, Julian’s public relations team turned to the local society press to control the narrative.
A glossy morning column in the city's lifestyle magazine published a piece detailing "the tragic breakdown of a high-profile marriage due to severe prenatal mental health challenges."
The article quoted anonymous country club members who claimed Clara had become paranoid, erratic, and prone to self-inflicted injuries.
Clara sat on the wooden deck overlooking the misty lake, holding the magazine copy Viktor had brought back from the supply store.
"They're saying I fell down the stairs on purpose to ruin his reputation," Clara said, her voice dropping into a quiet, dangerous register.
"They're saying Julian was a saint who stayed home from work just to monitor my medication."
Viktor reached out and took the magazine from her hands, tearing it cleanly down the middle and tossing the pieces into the outdoor fire pit.
"Paper burns," Viktor said simply. "Video evidence does not."
Later that afternoon, a sleek black news van parked at the edge of the access road, its camera lens aimed toward the cabin gate.
A well-known broadcast journalist named Marcus Thorne—a longtime golfing buddy of Julian's—stood by the fence with a microphone.
Viktor didn't call the police; he simply put on his old military service boots and walked down the gravel drive with his chin high.
"Colonel Adler!" Thorne called out over the fence. "Can you confirm that your daughter is refusing independent psychiatric evaluation to manipulate a divorce settlement?"
Viktor stopped two feet from the camera, his tall, imposing frame blocking the view of the lake house entirely.
"I have served thirty-two years defending the laws of this country," Viktor said, his voice calm, clear, and loud enough for the microphone to catch every syllable.
"And I can confirm that any man who strikes a pregnant woman forty times with a weighted strap is a coward who belongs in a cell."
Thorne lowered his microphone slightly, intimidated by the icy glare of the decorated veteran.
"We are conducting a legitimate press inquiry, Colonel," Thorne stammered.
"You are conducting a paid cover-up for a violent felon," Viktor replied coldly.
May you like
"You have five seconds to remove your vehicle from my property line before I have it towed as a security hazard."
The news van reversed so fast its tires kicked up gravel, retreating down the mountain road without another word.
