Chapter 7 - A Dinner Party of DisgraceWith Evelyn and Brooke behind bars, Vanessa's social status in high society was completely ruined.
She held an emergency dinner party at her penthouse, desperate to convince her remaining wealthy friends that she was an innocent victim of a corrupt legal system. But the guests she had invited were already whispering, their eyes focused on the security footage that had been leaked to the press.
"My family is innocent!" Vanessa cried, raising her champagne glass. "This is all a malicious setup by my brother's bitter ex-wife! She’s trying to steal our inheritance!"
"Actually, Vanessa, she’s not," a calm, clear voice spoke from the entrance of the dining room.
The guests turned to find me standing in the doorway, wearing a stunning, simple emerald gown, my arms crossed, flanked by Marcus and two state prosecutors.
"Claire..." Vanessa stammered, her glass trembling in her hand. "How did you get in here?"
"I bought the debt on this penthouse yesterday afternoon, Vanessa," I smiled, a slow, pitying shake of my head. "And your guests are currently standing on my property. The bank has officially foreclosed on your assets."
"This is harassment!" Vanessa shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at me. "I am a Mercer!"
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"You are a criminal, Vanessa," the state prosecutor stepped forward, displaying a formal indictment document. "The grand jury has just returned a true bill against you for complicity in wire fraud and tax evasion. Hands behind your back."
The champagne glass slipped from Vanessa's fingers, shattering loudly on the polished hardwood floor, as the officers clicked the handcuffs shut around her wrists in front of her high-society friends.
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