Chapter 10 - Dawn on the Steps
At 7:00 AM, the pale golden rays of the morning sun broke over the horizon, illuminating the manicured lawns and marble fountains of the Vance Estate. The crystal chandeliers inside were dark, their warm glow replaced by the cold, uncompromising light of day.
A fleet of black sedans pulled up the long gravel driveway, coming to a halt directly in front of the main entrance. Arthur stepped out of the lead vehicle, impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, his face calm, rested, and utterly devoid of mercy. Behind him, three local sheriff's deputies and a team of private movers stepped out of the trailing vans.
The massive oak front doors flew open, and Victoria Vance stumbled out onto the stone porch. She was still wearing the silver sequin gown from the night before, now hopelessly wrinkled and stained with dried red juice. Her hair was disheveled, her makeup smeared, her eyes wide with unadulterated horror as she clutched a stack of legal eviction notices in her trembling, ring-covered hands.
May you like
Arthur slowly walked up the stone steps, stopping two feet above her, looking down at the woman who had called his child trash.
"Your forty-five minutes started ten minutes ago, Victoria," Arthur said quietly, his voice echoing across the empty courtyard. "Pack your bags. You're trespassing on my property."
