Chapter 10 - The Banquet of Scorpions
Victor frowned, hesitating for a fraction of a second before flipping open the manila folder. His eyes scanned the first page, and the color instantly abandoned his face.
Inside were certified copies of Arthur Sterling’s original nineteen-forty-one trust covenants—the ones Amanda had recovered from under the south chimney floorboards—paired with the forensic audit of Vanguard Heritage Trust’s offshore accounts.
"Where did you get these?" Victor whispered, his smooth arrogance dissolving into raw panic.
"Grandfather knew Eleanor would bleed this family dry if given the chance," Amanda said, leaning forward until she was inches from Victor’s face. "The trust didn't just exclude her from mortgaging Magnolia Crest. It stipulated that any attempt to encumber the estate through fraud automatically liquidates the family seat and transfers the title directly into the custody of the surviving grandchildren."
She tapped the paper.
"You didn't just commit loan fraud with the bank, Victor. You filed forged affidavits with the state probate court. That is not a civil dispute. That is racketeering. That is twenty years without parole."
Victor took a step back, his hands shaking slightly as he closed his briefcase. The security guards behind him shifted uneasily, glancing at each other.
"You wouldn't dare," Victor choked out. "You ruin us, you destroy your own name. The Sterling name."
"My name isn't Sterling anymore," Amanda said with lethal calm. "Three years ago, in front of twenty-three of the wealthiest people in this state, Eleanor announced that I was no daughter of hers. She cast me out into the dirt. Well, Victor... I learned how to build from the dirt up."
She pointed toward the grand front doorway.
May you like
"Get off my site. Tell Eleanor that if she wants to speak to me, she can do it on Saturday evening at the Charleston Historic Preservation Society Gala. Because Holloway and I are the guests of honor."
***
