Chapter 71: Chris Westward’s Response

Chris Westward’s response to the divorce filing arrived swiftly, and it was as aggressive and dismissive as expected.

Through his high-powered legal team, he formally contested every single financial request Megan had made, making it clear that he had no intention of giving her a dime.

His legal response was cold, calculated, and condescending, typical of a man who had always viewed Megan as a possession rather than a partner. The message was clear:

No alimony. No financial support of any kind. No division of assets beyond what was explicitly outlined in the prenup.

It was a clear attempt to pressure Megan into walking away with nothing. Chris’s lawyers also threatened to scrutinize Megan’s personal life, implying that they would investigate any infidelity on her part to challenge any claim she had to financial relief.

When Megan and Karla sat down to review the response, Karla wasn’t surprised. This was exactly the kind of response she expected from Chris.

“He thinks he can scare us off,” Karla said, tossing the papers onto her desk. “Typical narcissistic bullshit. He thinks you’ll fold. That we’ll back down.”

Megan, though visibly shaken, was not deterred. If anything, Chris’s arrogance fueled her even more.

“So, what do we do now?” Megan asked.

Karla smiled. “We remind Chris that he’s not untouchable.”

The very next day, Karla filed a formal counter to Chris’s refusal, doubling down on the financial evidence they already had against him.

Thanks to the copy of the prenup that Jalen retrieved, Karla was able to highlight clauses that Chris was trying to ignore such as those that could force him to pay out more than he was admitting to.

Karla presented evidence of how Chris financially manipulated Megan, restricting her access to funds and keeping her economically dependent. They also had receipts of Chris using marital funds on mistresses, escorts, and gifts for other women.

If Chris wanted a fight, Karla was ready to take it public.

Karla knew Chris cared more about his reputation than money. The threat of a public trial and his dirty laundry being exposed was going to be the real pressure point.

By responding the way he did, Chris underestimated Megan. He expected her to break and fold. What he didn’t realize was that she wasn’t fighting alone. Jalen had her back and Karla was a legal shark prepared to go for the kill.

Back at her office, Karla leaned forward, her expression serious as she clasped her hands together on her desk.

“Megan, listen to me. Chris isn’t just going to roll over. He’s going to fight dirty, and I guarantee you, he’ll send someone to watch you.”

Megan tensed. “You think he’ll actually hire a private investigator?”

Karla nodded. “Absolutely. That’s what men like him do when they feel cornered. He’ll want to find something, anything, to discredit you. He’ll be looking for proof that you were unfaithful before you left, that you’ve been reckless, irresponsible, or that you’re hiding something.”

Megan swallowed hard, her hand instinctively brushing over her stomach. She knew this pregnancy was her biggest vulnerability.

“Be aware of your surroundings,” Karla said, “If you feel like you’re being followed, don’t ignore it. Notice cars that seem to be around too often. If you see someone at a café one day and then ‘randomly’ see them again somewhere else, assume it’s not a coincidence.”

“Okay.” Megan said, nodding.

“Also, if Chris is desperate enough, he’ll have someone dig through your garbage. I know it sounds crazy, but don’t throw anything out that hints at your pregnancy.

No ultrasound paperwork, no vitamin bottles, no pregnancy tests, nothing. If you need to throw something out, shred it first, then throw it away in a public dumpster.”

Got it. Megan responded calmly, hanging on to Karla’s every word.

Karla continued, “At least for now, you and Jalen should not be seen together in public. If Chris gets photos of you two together, he’ll twist the narrative. He’ll try to paint you as an adulteress who left him for another man, even if the timeline doesn’t match up. If you need to see Jalen, it has to be in private. No restaurants, no coffee shops, no parks, nothing where you could be spotted.”