Chapter 5 - The Tables Have Turned
The room fell into a deeper, heavier silence than before. Ethan stared at the papers as if they were venomous snakes. He snatched them up, his eyes scanning the signatures, the bank seals, and the transfer of ownership clauses.
"No," Ethan whispered, shaking his head frantically. "No, this isn't possible. The Vanguard Group holds our debt. They've held it for decades."
"And who do you think bought out the Vanguard Group's toxic assets last Tuesday?" Julian Vance offered helpfully, stepping forward with a brilliant grin. "Vance Global Tech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Katherine Vance Enterprises. Congratulations, Ethan. You're renting your own wedding venue from your ex-wife."
Senator Hastings lunged forward, grabbing Ethan by the lapel of his tuxedo jacket. "Is this true? You told me the Montgomery family was liquid, invincible! My daughter cannot marry into a bankrupt scandal!"
"Dad, stop!" Caroline shrieked, pulling her father back. She looked at Ethan with utter disgust. "You lied to us. You lied to everyone!"
Eleanor remained terrifyingly still. Her knuckles gripped the back of the leather chair so hard her fingers were bone-white. She looked past the screaming senator, past her crying daughter-in-law-to-be, and locked her cold gray eyes onto mine.
"You planned this," Eleanor said, her voice terrifyingly quiet. "Every single bit of it. You didn't just stumble into wealth. You hunted us."
"Oh, Eleanor," I smiled, standing up slowly from the desk and smoothing down the emerald silk of my gown. "I didn't hunt you. I just waited for you to build a house of cards on a foundation of lies, and then I brought three very strong boys to blow it down."
Liam tugged at my skirt again. "Mama, can we get ice cream now? These people smell like old paper and crying."
"In a minute, baby," I replied softly, before turning back to the adults in the room. "Here are your new terms. You have twenty-four hours to clear your personal belongings out of this mansion. The staff is now on my payroll. The wedding is officially canceled. And if any of you ever look at my sons, speak to my sons, or mention my family name in public again..."
May you like
I leaned over the desk, my eyes locking onto Eleanor’s trembling ones.
"...I won't just take your money. I'll take your freedom."
