Chapter 4 - Stripped Bare
The silence in the living room was deafening. Even the ticking of the grandfather clock seemed too loud.
Bernice was clutching the sofa, looking at her son for a denial. She needed him to laugh, to tear up the papers, to call the police and have me arrested.
“Scott, tell her she’s crazy,” Bernice pleaded, her voice shrill. “Tell this man to leave our house!”
Scott didn’t look at her. He couldn’t. He stared at the documents in his hands as if they were a death warrant. The arrogant, self-made CEO was gone. In his place stood a terrified man realizing his entire empire was built on sand.
“Caroline… sweetheart… let’s talk about this privately,” Scott stammered, dropping his voice to a hushed, pleading tone. He tried to reach out and touch my arm, but I stepped back.
“Don't,” I warned.
“I didn't know about the chicken,” he lied quickly. “My mother was out of line. I’ll make her apologize. I’ll make her clean it up right now!”
He turned on Bernice. “Mom! Apologize to her! Right now!”
Bernice looked as if she had been slapped. “Me? Apologize to this country trash? You’re the man of the house! Put her in her place!”
“Shut up!” Scott screamed at his mother. It was the first time I had ever heard him raise his voice at her. Bernice flinched, shrinking back in shock.
Scott turned back to me, trying to force a charming smile that looked utterly grotesque on his pale face.
“See? I’m handling it. Caroline, you can’t pull the funding. We’re expanding next quarter. If you withdraw Horizon’s backing, the bank will call in my loans. Apex will be bankrupt by Monday morning.”
“Apex is already bankrupt, Scott,” I replied coldly. “It has been for years. You’re not a businessman. You’re a parasite feeding on an invisible host. And the host just woke up.”
I pulled out my phone and dialed a number on speaker. It was answered on the first ring.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Hayes,” said a crisp, professional voice. It was David, my wealth manager.
“David, initiate Protocol Zero on the Hayes accounts. Cancel the black Amex cards ending in 4419 and 8820. Contact the dealership and report the Porsche as a voluntary repossession. And execute the withdrawal clause on the Apex Solutions investment.”
“Are you out of your mind?!” Scott lunged for my phone, but Mr. Sterling stepped neatly between us, easily blocking Scott’s path with a firm hand on his chest.
“I would advise against physical contact, Mr. Hayes,” the lawyer said quietly, though his tone held a severe warning.
“Done, Mrs. Hayes,” David said through the phone. “Cards are declined as of this second. Repo truck is being dispatched. The withdrawal notice has been sent to Apex’s board.”
I hung up the phone.
Scott collapsed onto the sofa, burying his face in his hands. He was hyperventilating. His designer suit suddenly looked too big for him.
Bernice finally understood. The money was real, and it was gone. She looked at her manicured nails, realizing they had been paid for by the woman she despised.
May you like
“You have until noon tomorrow,” I said, looking at both of them. “Leave the keys on the counter. If you try to take anything that belongs to this house, Mr. Sterling will press criminal charges.”
Without waiting for a response, I turned on my heel, walked out the front door, and stepped into the rain.
