Chapter 5 - The Inheritance ClaimedSloane shrieked, lunging off the stage toward me like a wild animal. "I hate you! I hope you die! You ruined my life!"
Before she could take two steps, an armed military police officer stepped in front of her, forcing her back onto the stage. Sloane collapsed into a heap of white tulle, howling hysterically.
Major Vance stepped forward, handing me a manila folder with a crisp, official seal.
"The asset forfeiture order includes the primary residential estate on Oakridge Drive," Vance told me, his eyes meeting mine with professional respect. "Because your father's original will named you as the primary beneficiary of the estate—a document your mother and stepfather illegally suppressed—the deed reverts to you immediately."
I took the folder, feeling the heavy, textured paper in my hands.
It was the house where I had grown up. The house where my father had taught me electronics at his workbench before Marlene turned it into a shrine for Grant and Sloane.
"Thank you, Major," I said.
"The federal marshals are seizing the property at 0600 hours tomorrow," Vance continued. "You have priority access whenever you're ready to take inventory."
Marlene let out a hollow, broken laugh from the stage. "You think you won? You're alone, Claire! You have no one! No husband, no family, no friends! Just your stupid uniform!"
May you like
I turned slowly to look at her, letting a faint, cold smile touch my lips.
"Marlene, I have an entire division of cyber intelligence backing my every move, a federal warrant that puts your husband away for twenty years, and my father's house back in my name." I adjusted the oak-leaf insignia on my shoulder, making sure it caught the harsh glare of the chandelier light. "I'm not alone. I'm just getting started."
