Chapter 4 - Confronting the Past
We spent the entire night going through our financial records. My blood ran cold as I discovered small, regular cash withdrawals stretching back years—money I had assumed was spent on household expenses or Liam's hobbies. It added up to tens of thousands of dollars. Marcus had been slowly bleeding us dry, feeding on Liam's guilt and shame.
The next morning, I called my brother, David, who was a corporate litigation attorney. David arrived at our house within the hour, bringing a cup of coffee and a determination to help. Together, we reviewed every email, every contract, and every text message saved on Liam's phone.
David’s legal expertise instantly changed the landscape. "Liam," David said, pointing at a series of text messages from Marcus demanding cash drops. "This isn't a debt payoff. This is textbook extortion. And as for his threats about the failed startup? The statute of limitations on financial negligence from ten years ago has long expired. Even if those documents weren't forged, he can't touch you legally."
Liam looked up, bewildered. "He... he can't send me to prison?"
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"Not a chance," David replied. "In fact, Marcus is the one who belongs in prison. Extortion, blackmail, and psychological abuse are serious criminal offenses."
For the first time in years, a tiny flicker of hope returned to Liam's eyes. But knowing the legal reality was only half the battle; we still needed solid, undeniable evidence of Marcus threatening Liam directly, stripped of any ambiguity. We needed a trap.
