Chapter 16 - The Return of the Desperate Heir
Julian did not arrive alone this time.
Through the bay windows, I saw his rented black SUV parked haphazardly across the manicured lawn, tearing up the fresh turf.
Out climbed Julian, disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, wearing a rumpled designer suit that smelled of stale whiskey and desperation even from twenty feet away.
Beside him walked Victoria, dressed in a sharp black pant suit, clutching a stack of legal court papers and accompanied by two private security guards in dark jackets.
"Nora!" Julian roared, smashing his fist against the heavy mahogany front door until Arthur opened it.
Julian stumbled into the foyer, his face flushed with rage and intoxication.
"Did you think you won, you sanctimonious little clerk?
Victoria just found the original 1999 power of attorney clause that overrides Mother's final amendment!
We are filing an emergency petition to invalidate your charity scam and seize this house today!"
Victoria stepped forward, her voice sharp as broken glass.
"The waiver Julian signed was signed under extreme duress and without full financial disclosure.
Nora hid the existence of offshore bank covenants.
Every single room in this manor is subject to immediate civil repossession."
Then Julian’s eyes landed on Gabriel, who was standing quietly by the parlor entrance.
Julian sneered, failing entirely to recognize his own half-brother.
"And who the hell are you?
Another one of Nora’s pro bono lawyers?
Get off my property before I have my guards drag you out into the ditch!"
Gabriel didn't blink; he took two slow, calculated steps toward Julian, his investigator badge catching the light of the chandelier.
"Julian Vance," Gabriel said in an icy, calm tone that froze the room.
"I am Special Investigator Gabriel Wright, Department of Financial Crimes.
And you are currently trespassing on an active state crime scene involving fifty million dollars in laundered maritime kickbacks."
Julian blanched, stepping back until his heels hit the marble threshold.
"What...
what are you talking about?
My father was Charles Vance!
He owned this county!"
May you like
"Your legal father was a murderer, Julian," Gabriel replied, holding up the 1974 photograph.
"And the man who gave you life died thirty years ago because Charles didn't want to split the bill."
