Evelyn: Julian! Talk to me! Who is Clara Vance?
Julian slowly turned to face his mother, his eyes wide with absolute horror.
Julian: Clara... her name isn't Clara Miller.
Evelyn: What are you saying? Of course that's her name!
Julian: She lied to us, Mom... she's the heiress to Vance Global.
Evelyn: What?! That quiet little orphan girl owns the company holding our estate mortgage?!
Julian: She owns everything, Mom! She owns this house, my business, my car... everything!
Evelyn sank back into her chair, her hands trembling as she clutched her pearl necklace.
Evelyn: No... no, that can't be right! You hit her, Julian!
Julian: I know I hit her! You told me to put her in her place!
Evelyn: You shouldn't have listened to me! Call her back right now!
Julian frantically tapped Clara's contact number on his phone, pressing it to his ear.
It rang twice before going straight to automated voicemail.
Julian: Clara, please pick up! I'm so sorry! I lost my temper, please call me back!
He tried three more times, but every call went straight to voicemail.
Julian: She blocked my number!
Evelyn: Go to her apartment! Drive there right now and beg on your knees if you have to!
Julian: Right now! Grab your coat, Mom, you're coming with me!
Evelyn: Me?! Why do I have to go?!
Julian: Because you insulted her first! You told her she had no right to speak in this house!
Ten minutes later, Julian rushed out to his sports car parked in the driveway.
He slid into the driver's seat and pressed the engine start button. Nothing happened.
A red light flashed on the dashboard display: VEHICLE LOCATION TRACKER ACTIVE - REMOTE IGNITION DISABLED BY OWNER.
Julian: No! No, no, no! Start, you piece of junk, start!
He slammed his fists against the leather steering wheel in pure frustration.
Evelyn: What's wrong with the car?!
Julian: She turned off the car remotely! The lease is under Vance Global Holdings!
Evelyn: How are we supposed to get to her apartment now?!
Julian: We'll take a taxi! Order a ride on your phone!
Evelyn pulled out her smartphone, opening the ride app with trembling fingers.
A big red banner popped up across her screen: PAYMENT METHOD DECLINED. PLEASE UPDATE YOUR CREDIT CARD.
Evelyn: My cards aren't working either! Julian, what are we going to do?!
Julian: We walk! It's three miles, but we walk!
Meanwhile, across town, Clara sat inside the top-floor penthouse of the Vance Tower.
Her assistant, Sarah, handed her an ice pack for her cheek alongside a thick blue folder.
Sarah: Here is the full financial audit of the Vance Group, Miss Vance.
Clara: Thank you, Sarah. How much do they owe our trust fund?
Sarah: Over forty-two million dollars in overdue estate loans and business mortgages.
Clara: Issue the official foreclosure notices tonight.
Sarah: Right away, ma'am. Should I call the sheriff's department for the eviction?
Clara set the ice pack down on the glass table, her eyes glinting under the lights.
Clara: Not yet. I want them to realize what they lost first.