Chapter 4 - The House of Cards"You trespassing lunatic!" David lunged forward, his face purple with fury, fists clenched at his sides as if he wanted to strike me right in front of everyone. "I told you, you don't live here anymore! This is my house! Get out!"
Before he could reach me, two heavy footsteps echoed behind me from the open front door.
Marcus Vance stepped into the foyer, flanked by two towering private security guards in sharp black suits, carrying thick leather briefcases. Behind them stood two uniformed city police officers, their expressions strictly professional.
David froze mid-stride, his hands hovering uselessly in the air. "What... what is this? Who are these people?"
Marcus adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, flashing a brilliant, terrifyingly polite smile. He stepped past me, taking center stage in the dining room like a prosecutor stepping up to the jury box.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Miller," Marcus said smoothly, his voice ringing with authority. "My name is Marcus Vance, senior partner at Vanguard & Sterling. I am here representing Ms. Elena Vance—the rightful, legal owner of this property."
A collective gasp rippled through the gathered relatives. Whispers erupted instantly like a swarm of angry hornets.
"That's a lie!" Clara shrieked, pushing herself up from her chair, her face contorted in panic. "The deed was transferred legally! We have the documents signed and sealed by the county! She’s a felon, she has no rights!"
Marcus turned his gaze slowly toward Clara, raising an eyebrow with theatrical amusement. "Ah, Mrs. Clara Miller. I'm glad you brought that up. Yes, a deed transfer was filed. However, under Section 42 of the State Civil Code, a property transfer executed using a fraudulent power of attorney while the principal is incarcerated is not just invalid—it is a Class B felony involving forgery, identity theft, and conspiracy."
David’s face lost every trace of color, his knees visibly buckling as he grabbed the edge of the dining table for support. "That's... that's impossible. The notary... the lawyer..."
"Mr. Henderson?" Marcus supplied helpfully, pulling a crisp legal document from his briefcase. "Mr. Henderson was disbarred yesterday morning and is currently cooperating with the federal district attorney’s office. He confessed that your brother paid him five thousand dollars to forge Elena’s signature on the quitclaim deed while she was locked in her cell."
Marcus turned his head slightly, nodding toward the two police officers standing near the door.
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"Officers, I believe you have a warrant to execute?"
The lead officer stepped forward, pulling a folded paper from his pocket, his boots heavy against the floor. "David Miller, Clara Miller, you are being placed under arrest for grand larceny, forgery, and conspiracy to commit fraud. Turn around and place your hands behind your back."
