Chapter 5: The Eviction
Evelyn remained seated at the head of the table. She reached for a crisp white linen napkin and slowly, methodically, dabbed at the red wine dripping from her diamond necklace. The calmness of her movements was far more intimidating than any screaming match could ever be.
"Harrison," Evelyn said, her voice smooth and carrying effortlessly across the large room. "Please inform my guests of their new living arrangements."
Harrison adjusted his suit jacket and looked at the dozen wealthy men sitting frozen in their chairs. "Gentlemen, as of this exact moment, you are trespassing on private property owned solely by the Vanguard Family Trust. You have exactly three minutes to stand up, walk out the front doors, and leave the premises. Your vehicles have already been brought around. If anyone remains in this room after three minutes, my security team will forcibly remove you and local law enforcement will press criminal trespassing charges."
Panic erupted. The arrogant men who had been laughing at Evelyn just ten minutes ago scrambled out of their antique wooden chairs like frightened rats fleeing a sinking ship. They didn't even look at Beatrice as they hurried toward the double doors, adjusting their tuxedos and whispering frantically into their cell phones, desperately trying to call their brokers.
"Wait! Don't leave me!" Beatrice cried out, grabbing the sleeve of the hedge fund manager she had been flirting with earlier. He violently yanked his arm away, sneering at her before practically running out the door.
Within sixty seconds, the grand dining room was entirely empty, save for Evelyn, Harrison, the security detail, and a hyperventilating Beatrice.
May you like
Evelyn finally stood up. The ruined white silk gown clung to her, but she wore it like armor. She slowly walked around the edge of the mahogany table, her footsteps echoing softly, until she stood mere inches from the woman who had tormented her for a year.
"You thought you could erase my family," Evelyn said, her voice a deadly, restrained whisper. "You thought you could steal my son's legacy and turn my home into a circus. You are leaving tonight, Beatrice. And you are leaving with exactly what you brought into this family: nothing."
