Chapter 4: The House of Cards
The grand gala of the season was the stage for the final act. The entire city’s elite were gathered in the Thorne mansion. Beatrice stood in the center of the room, wearing diamonds that cost more than most people earned in a decade, unaware that the home she stood in was no longer hers.
The music stopped when the heavy doors opened. Julian walked in, hand-in-hand with Elena. She looked radiant, glowing with a strength that terrified the people who had tried to break her.
"What is the meaning of this?" Beatrice shrieked, pointing a manicured finger at Elena. "Get that woman out of here!"
Julian stepped forward, silencing the room with a single gesture. "My wife stays. In fact, she’s the one who owns this building now."
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A legal representative stepped out from behind him, holding a stack of documents. "Mr. Thorne has authorized a complete takeover of all family assets due to evidence of systemic fraud, human rights violations, and embezzlement of family trust funds."
The room went deathly silent. The "elite" guests, who had come to toast the Thornes, suddenly realized they were in the presence of a sinking ship.
