Chapter 3 - THE ARRIVAL OF THE FOX AND THE HOUNDSAt precisely 10:00 AM, a sleek black sedan pulled into the driveway. Out stepped Attorney Harrison, a man known throughout the corporate world as a legal executioner. He didn't smile, he didn't shake hands warmly, and he carried a briefcase that looked like it contained a death sentence.
My father stood up instantly, his hand extended. "Ah, Harrison! Glad you could make it. We’re here to expedite the transfer of administrative powers and finalize the corporate realignment."
Harrison didn't take my father's hand. Instead, he adjusted his glasses, looked down at his clipboard, and said, "Mr. Sterling, before any documents are signed, standard protocol under corporate and civil compliance mandates a mandatory full-disclosure audit. Every individual receiving delegated authority must sign a sworn liability affidavit."
Stephanie frowned, her sharp eyes narrowing. "An affidavit? What kind of nonsense is that? My brother said we just sign the power of attorney over the estate."
"Times change, Miss Sterling," Harrison said smoothly, walking toward the dining table and pulling out a thick stack of papers. "Especially when federal financial monitoring flags suspicious asset dispersal. Mr. Devin Sterling requested a comprehensive forensic compliance check yesterday afternoon."
My mother’s face drained of color. She looked from Harrison to me, her voice trembling slightly. "Devin... what is the meaning of this? Why are you bringing legal complications into a family matter?"
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"Family matters ended the moment you decided to treat my wife like garbage and starve my son," I said, my voice cutting through the room like shattered glass.
I stood up, walked to the hallway, and gestured for Ashley to step forward. She walked into the dining room with her head held high, holding Samuel’s hand. The transformation was breathtaking. The broken, frightened girl from yesterday was gone. In her place stood the true legal owner of the Sterling Estate.
