Chapter 7 - The Mistress at the Gate
Sophia Vance was taller than Claire had imagined, wrapped in an ivory wool trench coat with dark auburn hair pulled back into an immaculate low bun. She didn't look like a nervous mistress hiding in the shadows; she stood on the cobblestone walkway with the cold, predatory posture of an executioner arriving to finish a routine execution.
She walked directly up to the porch, stopped beneath the security camera, and looked straight into the lens.
She held up a laminated court order.
Claire unmuted the two-way speaker. ""You’re trespassing, Sophia.""
A thin, amused smile curled Sophia’s burgundy lips. ""Good evening, Claire. I see you’ve met Marcus. Unfortunately for you, this isn't just an eviction. This is an emergency writ of attachment issued by the Supreme Court of Nassau County. Mark transferred his majority interest in the residential holding company to Vantage Crest three days ago. By law, Vantage Crest has taken possession.""
""Mark’s transfer was executed using forged signatures on an unauthorized power of attorney,"" Claire said steadily. ""The notary whose seal is on that document is currently having her license revoked by the State Department.""
Sophia laughed, a dry, melodic sound. ""You always were naive, Claire. You think courts care about procedural squabbles when millions of dollars in liquidated debt are delinquent? By tomorrow morning, the county sheriff will enforce this order. We aren't here to hurt you. We’re here to give you twenty minutes to collect your personal clothes before we padlock the gate.""
""And what about Eleanor?"" Claire asked, her tone razor-sharp. ""Does she know you're standing on my porch while she sips Bellinis in Monaco?""
Sophia’s smile vanished, replaced by an expression of cold disdain. ""Eleanor brought me into this family to replace you, Claire. You were a tech girl with an inheritance and zero pedigree. You served your purpose. You funded Mark’s expansion, you bought his mother’s vanity projects, and now your balance sheet is empty. Open the door, or Marcus’s team will breach the side service entry.""
Claire didn't hesitate. ""Take a look at your phone, Sophia.""
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Sophia frowned, pulling a gold-cased phone from her pocket. As she unlocked the screen, her brow furrowed.
Her phone began to buzz continuously. One alert after another lit up her display in rapid, violent succession.
