Chapter 6 - THE BLOOD WOLVES ARRIVENews of Arthur Vance’s sudden decision swept through the financial world like a wildfire. Headlines dominated every news channel: FORMER JANITOR INHERITS $30 BILLION EMPIRE! VANCE ENTERPRISES IN TURMOIL AS BILLIONAIRE BYPASSES FAMILY FOR AN OUTSIDER!
By 8:00 AM the following morning, the front of Vance Towers was swarming with hundreds of reporters, paparazzi, and news vans. But inside the private executive suite on the top floor, a far more dangerous storm was brewing.
Hannah stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass window, watching the rain hit the glass. She was dressed in a sharp black business suit, but under the surface, her nerve was unraveling. Her mother, Diane, had been moved into a private medical wing, safe for now, but Hannah knew that money couldn't shield her from the hatred currently directed at her.
The grand double doors of the suite burst open.
Three people stormed into the room, surrounded by a entourage of high-powered attorneys.
Leading the group was Victoria Vance, Arthur’s cold-hearted younger sister, clad in diamonds and furs. Beside her were her two adult children: Julian Vance’s estranged half-brother, Marcus, a notorious playboy, and Evelyn, a ruthless corporate attorney.
"Where is he?!" Victoria shrieked, her eyes darting around the room until they locked onto Hannah. "Where is my brother?!"
"Mr. Vance is resting under doctor's supervision," Hannah said calmly, turning around to face them. "I am Hannah Reed. I suggest you lower your voice."
Evelyn snorted, taking a step toward Hannah with a sneer. "Look at this little gold-digger. Do you really think a fake will is going to hold up in probate court, sweetie? My mother is Arthur’s blood relative. You are a street beggar who manipulated a senile old man!"
"Arthur Vance is not senile," Julian Vance’s voice echoed as he stepped out from the inner office, holding a stack of legal documents. "And the trust modification was drafted by three independent law firms and notarized yesterday afternoon. It is airtight, Evelyn."
"You traitor!" Marcus spat, lunging toward Julian, but two security guards immediately stepped between them. "You're supposed to be our family's lawyer, Julian! You're helping an outsider steal our birthright!"
"Your birthright?" Julian laughed coldly. "Marcus, you haven't worked a day in your life. You spent two million dollars of company money on a yacht in Monaco last month. Arthur is tired of funding your parasitic lives."
Victoria stepped forward, her face twisted with rage. She pulled an iPad from her lawyer's hands and slammed it onto the desk in front of Hannah.
"You think you've won, little girl?" Victoria hissed. "Look at the screen."
Hannah looked down. On the screen was a live feed of a residential street. A black SUV was parked directly across from a quiet suburban house.
Hannah’s blood ran cold. She recognized that house immediately. It was her childhood home, where her mother’s sister, Aunt Clara, still lived.
"That’s your aunt’s house in Ohio," Victoria whispered evilly. "And those men in that SUV? They work for me. You sign the paper waiving all rights to the Vance Trust by noon today... or your dear aunt suffers a very unfortunate 'gas leak' accident."
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Hannah’s heart stopped. "You're insane... this is extortion!"
"This is business," Victoria corrected, her eyes burning with lethal intent. "You have four hours, Hannah. Sign the inheritance over to us... or watch your family burn."
