Chapter 7 - The Dominoes Fall
Z
Forty-eight hours after the courtroom hearing, the full scale of the Vance family's destruction had become a national news spectacle.
I sat in the plush armchair of my hotel penthouse, enjoying a quiet morning breakfast of poached eggs, fresh berries, and dark coffee. On the iPad beside my plate, news notifications were rolling in like an unstoppable avalanche.
“Vance Development Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Following Mass Investor Withdrawal.”
“District Attorney Formally Indicts Julian Vance on Charges of Domestic Assault and Fraudulent Representation.”
“Socialite Victoria Vance Ousted from City Symphony Board Amid Public Outrage.”
The fall had been swift, merciless, and absolute.
Without the thirty-million-dollar inheritance to back their loans, Vance Development’s creditors moved in like vultures. By Thursday afternoon, the company's assets were seized, their ongoing construction projects were halted, and their corporate headquarters were padlocked by court order. Julian’s personal bank accounts had been frozen pending the criminal investigation into his attempted trust fraud, leaving him virtually penniless.
Around 11:00 AM, my phone rang. It was Arthur.
"Elena, I have an update on the Greenwich estate," Arthur said, his voice brimming with satisfaction. "Victoria and Julian failed to cure the default on the four-million-dollar note by yesterday's deadline. The eviction notice was officially served this morning at 8:00 AM."
"Are they out?" I asked, taking a sip of coffee.
"They have twenty-four hours to vacate the premises before the sheriff's department forcibly removes them," Arthur replied. "They've reportedly been seen loading personal items into a rented moving truck because they can no longer afford professional movers."
I stared out at the gray city skyline, feeling a cool, quiet sense of justice. "Where are they going?"
"From what my investigator gathered, Victoria bought a small two-bedroom rental apartment in a working-class suburb forty miles outside the city," Arthur chuckled dryly. "It seems she had to sell her designer handbag collection and jewelry to cover the security deposit."
The irony was breathtaking. Victoria, who had obsessed over social status, family pedigree, and aristocratic appearances, had been forced out of her mansion and banished to the very working-class lifestyle she so thoroughly despised. And Julian, who had tried to reduce me to a maid, was now facing criminal trial and total financial ruin.
"Arthur, I want to make one final visit to the Greenwich house before they hand over the keys," I said suddenly.
Arthur paused. "Are you sure that's wise, Elena? The restraining order protects you, but..."
May you like
"I'm bringing security," I replied smoothly. "And I don't want to fight. I just want to personally collect the small painting my father gave them as a wedding gift. It doesn't belong in a foreclosed home."
"I'll have two bodyguards meet you at the estate in one hour," Arthur agreed.
