Page 172 of Silver Fox Puck

Marcus Reed.

Top-rated custody lawyer in the state.

Older. Late fifties. Sharp suit, sharper eyes.

He doesn’t smile. Doesn’t do pleasantries. Just lifts a brow as we sit.

“Grant Maddox.” His voice is smooth, but firm. “I hear you have a problem.”

I lean forward, hands clasped.

“You could say that.”

Marcus nods. “Tell me everything.”

I lay it all out.

Every detail.

The history. The divorce. The way Lauren has weaponized Olivia against me for years.

The mind games. The manipulation.

And now, this custody threat.

Kenzie stays silent, listening.

But I can feel her—her presence, her steady support.

Marcus nods slowly.

Then, he leans back, lacing his fingers together.

“Well,” he says finally. “Lauren’s smart.”

My jaw clenches.

“But she’s also predictable.”

Kenzie tilts her head. “Meaning?”

Marcus taps his fingers against the desk.

“She’s playing offense. Trying to make you react. That means she’s betting on two things: one, that you’ll either lose your temper or make a mistake. And two…”

His gaze sharpens.

“That you won’t fight hard enough to win.”

I exhale slowly.

Kenzie?

She leans forward, voice firm.

“Then she bet wrong.”

A slow smile tugs at Marcus’s lips.

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