All Chapters of The Forbidden Seat: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I pulled out my phone and called the bank's customer service line right in front of my daughter, Marissa Langford."Hello, I'd like to freeze the two supplementary cards under my account."After verifying my information, the representative replied crisply, "Done. Both cards have been frozen."Marissa stared at me in disbelief. "Dad, are you serious? That's just how Tyler is. He's immature sometimes. From now on, you can just sit in the back seat, can't you?"I slipped my phone back into my bag and flagged down a taxi. "I'm completely serious. Starting today, your expenses are no longer my responsibility."As the cab pulled away, I caught sight of her in the rearview mirror. She jogged after the car for two steps before coming to a halt. She didn't try to stop me.In her mind, I was just a man in his fifties throwing a tantrum. Three days at most, and I'd come crawling back to apologize.After all, that was how it had always gone. For twenty-eight years, every single time, I'd be

"I'm not here to argue." Marissa set the flowers on the bedside table and rubbed her hands together awkwardly. "There's actually something I wanted to discuss with you."Well… Chloe took your car out the other day and got into an accident with a Porsche. Nobody was hurt, but… she doesn't have a driver's license."I closed my eyes briefly. "And?""The traffic police said driving without a license could mean detention. Since the car is registered in your name, could you go down to the station and tell them you were the one driving?""Marissa." I cut her off. "You're asking me—a concussion patient lying in a hospital bed—to go to the police station and claim I was driving?""Dad, she's my future child's aunt! If she gets arrested, Tyler will never forgive me!"I looked at the person standing in front of me.Twenty-eight years ago, Diane had spent sixteen hours in labor bringing her into this world. After Diane passed away, I built my business and raised Marissa single-handedly. The

"This apartment is worth $12 million, paid for in full, and it's in my name. My father-in-law signed the transfer papers himself. He gave it to me willingly."Tyler's friends erupted into exaggerated cheers and jealous whistles.At 7:43 p.m., the front door exploded inward.Twelve men in black T-shirts marched into the apartment one after another.The man with the buzz cut leading them, Marcus Reed, kicked over the champagne tower with a single swing of his boot. Champagne splashed across the floor."Which one of you is Tyler Ashford?"The room fell silent.Tyler froze for three full seconds before finally shouting, "Who the hell are you people? This is my house! I'm calling the cops!"Marcus slapped a loan agreement and mortgage registration document against Tyler's chest."You're the legal owner of this property now, correct? This apartment was used as collateral for a $50-million bridge loan."The previous debtor, Gerald Langford, transferred ownership of the property. Acc

The moment the elevator doors opened, the entire lobby fell silent.Every eye turned toward me.I was wearing a tailored charcoal suit, my hair neatly combed back without a strand out of place. Step by step, I walked toward her.Marissa looked up at me, her eyes filled with desperation."Dad..."I stopped in front of her and looked down at her for two full seconds. Then I reached into my briefcase, pulled out a flash drive, and handed it to my assistant, Simon Reeves."Put it on the screen."The giant LED display in the lobby lit up. The footage came from the pawn shop's surveillance cameras.The timestamp was unmistakable. 2:00 a.m. last month.On the screen, Marissa slipped nervously into the pawn shop and pulled Diane's Rolex from her pocket. The engraving on the back of the watch was clearly visible beneath the camera."To my husband. Every day with you was a gift."She slapped the watch onto the counter. "How much if I sell it?"A wave of shocked gasps rippled through

Tyler spun around and pointed a finger straight at Marissa."This is all your fault! Every bit of it! You're useless! If you hadn't insisted on marrying me, do you think I'd be in this mess?"Marissa finally broke too. She lunged across the courtroom from the defense table.The two of them crashed into each other and started fighting right there in front of the judge.Court officers rushed forward. It took nearly two full minutes to pull them apart.Tyler's faded sweatshirt had been ripped down the sleeve.Fresh red marks lined Marissa's face.The courtroom had descended into complete chaos.I remained seated at the plaintiff's table without moving an inch.After order was finally restored, the judge turned toward me. "Would the plaintiff be willing to consider mediation?"I stood. "Your Honor, I reject any form of settlement. I ask that the law be applied to its fullest extent."As we left the courthouse, Victor walked beside me. "Mr. Langford, regarding Marissa… Should we