“You signed the intent forms, Benjamin,” I said, my voice trembling.

“But Vanessa’s lawyers stalled the final decree.”

“They knew exactly what they were doing.”

“They kept this loophole open as a weapon.”

The tablet hummed in my hand, a new notification popping up on the screen.

It was an email from Vanessa’s lead attorney, a man known for his ruthless tactics in high-stakes divorces.

I opened the message.

The text was short and precise.

“To Benjamin Caldwell,” I read aloud.

“Surrender your voting shares in Caldwell Systems by midnight.”

“Or we will execute the emergency custody order.”

“The state authorities will remove the girls from your custody immediately.”

“And you will never see them again.”

Emma let out a soft cry, burying her face in her sister’s shoulder.

Lily began to sob, her small body shaking under the thin blanket.

“They can’t take us away,” Lily whimpered.

“Please don’t let them take us.”

I looked at Benjamin, whose face had gone completely blank.

The billionaire founder of Caldwell Systems looked like a man who had lost everything in a single second.