Chapter 2 - The Lockout at the Vance Estate
Fourteen miles away, in the penthouse suite overlooking the city skyline, Flynn Vance popped the cork of a vintage bottle of Dom Pérignon. Sitting beside him on the velvet sofa was Victoria Blake, his head of public relations and secret mistress of two years.
"To new beginnings," Victoria purred, clinking her flute against his. "Is it really done?"
"Signed and processed," Flynn scoffed, swirling his champagne. "The hospital administrator handled it quietly. Claire’s heart gave out during labor. Even if she wakes up from the coma, she’ll be a shell of herself. Her insurance will dump her into a state care facility, and without my name, she can't touch a single dollar of Vance Enterprises."
"And the twins?" Victoria asked, tracing her finger down his chest.
"They're collateral," Flynn sneered. "I'll put them in a private boarding school overseas as soon as they're old enough. I won't have Claire's damaged goods ruining my reputation."
Suddenly, the front door’s electronic lock chimed loudly. Red emergency lights began flashing along the hallway walls.
Flynn frowned, setting his glass down. "What is wrong with the system?"
Before he could reach the door, it burst open. Four heavy-set men in black tactical uniforms entered, led by a marshal holding a legal warrant.
"Flynn Vance?" the marshal demanded.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Flynn roared. "This is my private residence! Do you have any idea who I am? I am the CEO of Vance Enterprises!"
"Correction," the marshal said coldly, stepping aside to let Jonathan Mercer walk into the foyer. "You were the CEO. As of one hour ago, the Hart Family Trust exercised Clause 14-B. This property, along with all Vance corporate assets, has been seized. You have five minutes to leave the premises."
Flynn laughed hysterically. "Are you insane, Mercer? Claire is lying in an ICU bed practically brain-dead! She can't seize anything!"
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Jonathan pulled out a tablet and pressed play. On the screen was live footage from the hospital recovery room. There I sat in bed, holding my newborn son and daughter in my arms, looking directly into the camera.
"Hello, Flynn," my voice echoed through his penthouse speakers. "I survived. And now, you're evicted."
