Chapter 1 - The Ruin Begins at DawnThe torrential downpour in Bel Air did nothing to cool the fire burning in Camila’s veins as she drove toward St. Jude Memorial Hospital. Behind her, the shattered lock of the grand estate’s double doors swung uselessly in the wind. Behind her, too, was the terrified face of Edwin Vance—a man who had spent five years treating her like dirt, completely unaware that he was living on borrowed time and borrowed money.
Inside the hospital room, the air was cold. Her father, George Stanford, lay still beneath a white sheet. Camila held his weathered hand, her tears finally overflowing, hot and unyielding.
"I'm sorry, Papa," she whispered, her voice trembling but full of newfound resolve. "I hid my power to protect a man who didn't deserve a second of my life. I let them call you a failure while you secretly built their empire. But it ends tonight. I will tear down everything they built on your back."
Standing in the doorway was Attorney Wayne, a sharp-eyed veteran lawyer who had been George Stanford’s closest confidant for thirty years. He held a leather-bound briefcase containing the true power of the Stanford Estate.
"Miss Camila," Wayne said softly. "Your father anticipated this day. He knew Edwin Vance was a parasite. The trust agreement was structured with a fail-safe clause. The moment George’s heart stopped, all assets leased, loaned, or guaranteed to Crestview Construction immediately reverted to you. Edwin Vance owns nothing. In fact, as of 3:00 AM, he owes the trust ninety-two million dollars."
Meanwhile, back at the Bel Air mansion, chaos erupted.
Edwin stood in the grand hallway, staring at the shattered door lock and his whimpering Caucasian Shepherd. He tried to laugh off Camila’s warning, convincing himself she was bluffing. “She’s just a broken housewife,” he muttered to himself. “She doesn't have the guts.”
Then his phone vibrated.
It was a text notification from his private wealth manager: [ALERT: Your line of credit at First National Bank has been revoked. All corporate cards ending in 4092 have been frozen.]
Before he could process the notification, another alert popped up. Then another.
[ALERT: Foreclosure notice initiated for 1400 Bel Air Crest.] [ALERT: Crestview Construction payroll account locked by court order.]
Panic, sharp and blinding, gripped Edwin's chest. He frantically called his mother, Beverly.
May you like
"Edwin? Why is my credit card declined at the country club pre-booking?" Beverly shrieked through the line. "And where is that worthless girl Camila? Tell her to bring me my morning tea!"
"Mom... shut up," Edwin choked out, sweat dripping down his forehead. "Something is wrong. The bank just froze everything."
