Chapter 5 - The Paper Avalanche“Mark Vance?” Deputy Miller asked, his hands resting casually near his duty belt.
“Yes! What is going on here?!” Mark demanded, his voice cracking into a high-pitched squeak. “Where is my wife? Where is my son? Someone broke into my house and stole my nursery furniture!”
Arthur Sterling stepped forward, opening his leather briefcase with a crisp, terrifying snap.
“No one broke into your house, Mr. Vance,” Arthur said, his voice dropping like an iron anvil. “Your wife, Clara Vance, was evacuated by emergency airlift three days ago suffering from life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage caused by your willful medical neglect.”
Mark steeled his jaw, trying to regain his corporate composure. “That’s absurd! She had a heavy period! She’s dramatic! I had an important business trip—”
“She lost three point two liters of blood on this floor while you posted videos of yourself drinking scotch in Aspen,” Arthur interrupted ruthlessly, pulling a stack of heavy legal documents from his folder.
Arthur handed the top document directly to Mark.
“You are hereby served with an emergency ex-parte Restraining Order issued by the Superior Court of California,” Arthur announced clearly. “You are barred from coming within one thousand feet of Clara Vance or your son, Leo Vance.”
Mark’s jaw trembled as he looked at the legal seal. “This is ridiculous! She can't keep my son from me! I'm his father! I pay the mortgage on this house!”
Arthur let out a low, cold chuckle that made the hairs on Mark’s neck stand up.
“You used to pay the mortgage on this house, Mr. Vance,” Arthur corrected. “Or rather, Clara’s family trust paid it. This property is deeded exclusively under the Sterling Family Legacy Trust. As of twelve o'clock today, your residential access has been revoked.”
Deputy Miller stepped forward, pointing toward the door.
“You have fifteen minutes to gather your personal clothing in one bag and vacate the premises, Mr. Vance,” Deputy Miller ordered firmly. “If you are on this property at twelve-fifteen, you will be arrested for felony trespassing.”
“You can't do this to me!” Mark screamed, grabbing his hair in pure panic. “I have a board meeting in two hours! My company stock is tied to my family image!”
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“Your company stock is about to experience a severe market correction,” Arthur smiled predatory. “Because Detective Torres from the Special Victims Unit is waiting downstairs to interview you regarding felony spousal abandonment and child endangerment.”
Mark turned to look at the dried crimson blood on the nursery carpet one last time, realizing with sudden, crushing horror that the quiet, submissive wife he thought he could step over had just pulled the foundation right out from under his life.
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