Chapter 6 - The Crumbling Façade
The news spread faster than wildfire. I didn't just play the recording in the boardroom. Rebecca made sure a copy of it was leaked to every major social circle, country club, and family friend Elias and Cynthia had ever known. In less than twenty-four hours, they went from being a respected, middle-class family to absolute pariahs.
I sat in my corner office, sipping champagne, watching the chaos unfold on my phone. Brenda had posted a frantic, weeping video online, claiming she was a victim, that Elias had lied to her. Nobody bought it. Cynthia was banned from her bridge club and her church. People spat at her car when she went to the grocery store.
My phone rang. Elias again. I finally decided to answer. "Ella!" he sobbed into the receiver. "Ella, please, you have to stop this. My life is ruined! I have no job. My friends won't speak to me. Brenda is screaming at me all day." "Why would I stop it, Elias?" I asked softly. "I'm just giving you exactly what you wanted. An exciting life."
"I love you!" he screamed desperately. "I was a fool, but I love you! The money doesn't matter to me!" "You're right," I replied. "The money doesn't matter to you. Because you're never going to see a single cent of it." "We are still married!" he yelled, grasping at straws. "Legally, I have rights! I have rights to that apartment!"
I laughed. A genuine, cold laugh. "Oh, Elias. You really shouldn't have skipped reading the fine print on the property deed." I hung up.
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Downstairs, Rebecca walked into my office, holding a thick manila folder. "The eviction notice has been signed by the judge," she said, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "And the fraud charges have been filed with the district attorney." "Fraud?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "He tried to transfer the deed of the apartment solely into his name yesterday," Rebecca smirked. "Forging your signature. He didn't realize the property is owned by a corporate entity. Forging a corporate document to steal a multi-million dollar asset is a federal offense."
I stood up and looked out the window at the city below. "When is the eviction?" I asked. "Today at 4:00 PM. The sheriff is on his way." "Call the car, Rebecca," I said, grabbing my coat. "I want to watch."
