The Billionaire's Second Chance: Secrets, Lies, and Three Little Miracles

Grace was discharged two days later, and the family returned to the estate. But the real world was waiting to crash in. Marcus Thorne had grown impatient. Finding no leverage with the paparazzi, he called Julian directly, threatening to file a massive, fraudulent corporate espionage lawsuit against Evelyn's company, a move that would bankrupt her research firm entirely in legal fees.

Julian put the phone on speaker in his study, with Evelyn standing right beside him.

You have twenty-four hours, Vance, Marcus sneered over the line. She signs over the patent, or I bury her firm in litigation until she cannot afford to buy groceries for those bastards of yours.

Julian looked at Evelyn. She gave him a firm, confident nod.

Marcus, Julian said, his voice terrifyingly calm. Did you really think I spent the last two weeks hiding?

Julian tapped a key on his laptop. I just initiated a hostile takeover of your parent company's offshore holdings. Furthermore, my legal team just filed a massive extortion and blackmail suit against you in federal court, complete with the recorded audio of your threats to Evelyn outside her lab. You are done, Marcus. If you ever say my wife's name again, or look in the direction of my daughters, I will make sure you do not just lose your company. You will lose your freedom.

There was dead silence on the line before Marcus slammed the phone down. Julian closed the laptop. The war was over. He had protected her life's work, and he had secured their daughters' safety. He looked at Evelyn, exhaling a long breath.

He called me your wife, Evelyn noted quietly.