Chapter 6 - The Ghost of OakridgeTwo weeks later, the Oakridge Estate was completely empty.
The imported Italian tiles, the crystal chandelier, the family portrait of Daniel and Evelyn—all of it had been cleared out. I stood in the middle of the massive marble foyer where I had taken that brutal slap just half a month ago.
The echoes of the past seemed to bounce off the bare walls.
Marcus walked in carrying a single manila folder, his expression professional and triumphant.
"The property transfer is complete, Boss," Marcus said, handing me the fresh deed. "The estate is officially being repurposed. The city council approved our zoning request this morning."
I looked down at the document. "And the foundation?"
"Set up and ready to launch next month," Marcus smiled. "A women’s shelter and legal aid center for victims of domestic abuse and financial manipulation. Named entirely in your honor."
I nodded slowly, a profound sense of closure washing over me.
They had tried to treat me like a shadow, a ghost haunting the margins of their high-society life. But they forgot one fundamental law of the universe:
May you like
You cannot trap a storm inside a house of glass without expecting it to shatter everything.
Outside, the sun was setting, casting a brilliant golden light across the sprawling lawns. I turned my back on the foyer, walked out the front doors, and locked them behind me for the very last time.
