Chapter 4
Elena ignored their frantic whispering, turning her full attention back to comforting her mother in the quiet hallway. She gently wrapped a warm knitted shawl around Margaret's shoulders, guiding her away from the chaotic doorway.
"Let's get you inside, Mom; you don't have to look at these parasites ever again," Elena murmured affectionately. Margaret nodded, leaning on her daughter's steady arm as they walked toward the sunlit back parlor.
Behind them, Miranda slammed her fist against the doorframe, losing every shred of her sophisticated facade. "You can't do this! We spent thousands remodeling the master suite and hosting the county commissioners!" Miranda wailed.
"Your renovations don't grant you ownership rights to property you acquired through intimidation and fraud," Elena replied without turning. Julian grabbed Miranda's shoulder, realizing their multi-month scam had completely and irrevocably collapsed.
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"We need to grab our cash reserves and designer luggage before the sheriff actually shows up," Julian whispered urgently. Elena's sharp ears caught every word, and she walked over to the landline phone resting on the mahogany desk.
She picked up the receiver, dialing the local sheriff's department emergency dispatch with calm, deliberate precision.
