Chapter 26 - The Final Paperwork
"That's impossible," I stepped forward, slamming my hand down on the table beside the documents. "The San Lucas Vineyard was purchased by our father in 1978, decades before any of these corporate funds were ever funneled through Swiss accounts!"
Sterling adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his expression entirely devoid of empathy. "Legally speaking, Mr. Whitlock, your father’s estate was co-signed under the parent holding umbrella of Whitlock Resorts. When the federal receivership took over the parent company, every single subsidiary asset—including this neglected little patch of dirt—technically reverted to corporate receivership."
He tapped the top document with a manicured finger. "Which means federal marshals are scheduled to execute a writ of seizure on this property by sunrise tomorrow. You, your girlfriend, and your little family have twenty-four hours to vacate the premises."
Julian stepped up beside me, his jaw clenched so tightly a muscle ticked in his cheek. "And if we don't?"
"Then you'll be arrested for trespassing on federal government property," Sterling replied smoothly, turning toward the door. "Good afternoon, gentlemen. Enjoy your last night in the mountains."
He stepped back out into the freezing rain, leaving the thick stack of legal documents resting like a ticking bomb on the entry table.
Tessa walked out from the dining room, her face pale as she looked at the papers, then up at us. "Grant... can they really do this? Can they take this home from us after everything we've fought through?"
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"No," I said, my voice dead calm as a cold fury settled deep into my bones. "They can't. Because our father left us something Sterling Vance doesn't know about."
Julian’s eyes lit up with sudden realization. "The archive downstairs."
