Chapter 5 - The Sheriff at the Front Door
The rhythmic pounding on the front door at 8:00 AM sharp did not sound like a polite visitor. Margaret, wrapped in her silk bathrobe and holding her morning espresso, marched down the grand staircase with an expression of supreme annoyance.
“Daniel! Tell whoever is at the door to go away. We are not receiving guests today,” she barked, throwing the deadbolt back and jerking the door open.
Two county sheriff deputies stood on the porch, flanked by a tall man in a tailored charcoal suit holding a thick leather briefcase.
“Margaret Sterling?” the lead deputy asked, holding out an official envelope. “Notice of eviction and financial asset seizure. You have two hours to vacate the premises.”
Margaret stared at the paper as if it were written in a foreign language. “There must be some mistake. This is our family home! My son is the CEO of Sterling Logistics!”
“Sterling Logistics was dissolved at midnight pursuant to a corporate receivership order filed by Vance Holdings,” the man in the suit replied smoothly, stepping past her into the foyer.
I walked up the front steps behind them, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
Daniel appeared at the top of the stairs, looking disheveled in the clothes he had worn the night before, his phone buzzing incessantly in his hand.
May you like
“Natalie?” he whispered, his eyes widening in horror as he saw me walking into my own living room flanked by legal counsel. “What is the meaning of this?”
“It means your vacation is over, Daniel,” I said, stopping at the foot of the stairs and looking up at him with a calm, unreadable smile. “Get your things. You’re trespassing.”
