"We could challenge the contract on grounds of fraud or misrepresentation. If we can prove that Titan Ventures deliberately concealed material information or made false statements to induce Xavier to sign, the contract could be rendered voidable." Gerald paused. "The difficulty is proving intent. Mr. Matthews was careful. The clause exists in the contract, which Xavier signed. A court would likely find that Xavier had the opportunity to review the terms and chose not to exercise due diligence."
Sebastian made a sound of disgust. "In other words, we have nothing."
"There's one more possibility." Gerald leaned forward. "If we can demonstrate that the contract was procured through duress, undue influence, or deliberate manipulation—and obtain evidence of such—the contract could be voided entirely. This would require proof that Mr. Matthews intentionally engineered circumstances to impair Xavier's judgment during the signing."
"And how exactly would we prove that?" Sebastian demanded.
"A confession would be ideal. Documented communication showing premeditation. Witness testimony establishing a pattern of manipulation." Gerald spread his hands. "Without such evidence, our legal position is extremely weak."
The room fell silent.
I stared at the floor, Gerald's words echoing in my head. Proof of manipulation. A confession. Evidence that Cole had deliberately engineered the circumstances.
Cole was an egotistical piece of shit. I'd seen it in every interaction, the way he talked down to everyone, the way he looked at Kim like she was property he'd misplaced, the way he'dsmirked while blood ran down his chin like getting punched was just another inconvenience.
He was the type who loved being the smartest person in the room. The type who couldn't resist gloating about his victories.
If I played my cards right...
"There has to be something," Grandmother was saying. "Some flaw in his plan, some angle we haven't considered?—"
I stood up.
The movement felt foreign. Like my body had decided something my brain hadn't caught up with yet.
Everyone turned to look at me.
“Where are you going?” Sebastian's voice was sharp. “We're not finished here.”
I didn't answer. Couldn't, really. The pieces were still clicking into place, and if I stopped to explain, I might lose them.
"Xavier!" Sebastian called after me. "Xavier, get back here. We need to?—"
I kept walking.
The argument continued behind me, Sebastian's frustrated voice rising, Grandmother's measured tones trying to calm him. I heard Gerald saying something about reconvening in the morning. None of it mattered.
I had an idea.
The night air was cool against my face as I crossed to my car. I slid behind the wheel but didn't start the engine immediately. Just sat there, thinking.
Cole had played dirty. He'd used Kim to distract me, timed his questions about Zoe to throw me off balance, manipulated the entire signing to ensure I wouldn't read what I was agreeing to. He'd cheated. Lied. Schemed.
Why couldn't I do the same?
If Cole could trick me into signing away my family's company, surely I could trick him into admitting what he'ddone. He was arrogant. Smug. Convinced he'd won. That kind of confidence made people sloppy. Made them want to brag.
All I needed was to get him talking. Get him comfortable. Let him gloat about his brilliant plan while someone—or something—captured every word.
It was risky. If Cole suspected what I was doing, he'd shut down immediately. And if I couldn't get him to admit anything concrete, we'd be exactly where we started.
But it was the only play I had.
I pulled out my phone and called Sebastian.
He answered on the second ring. "Xavier, what the hell was that? You can't just walk out in the middle of?—"
"I have a crazy idea.”
