Chapter 9: Confrontation at the Gate
The peaceful rhythm was shattered on a Tuesday afternoon when two black sedans pulled up the long gravel driveway.
Ethan met them at the front entrance. Victoria stepped out of the lead vehicle, flanked by two corporate lawyers carrying heavy leather briefcases. She wore a sharp black coat and dark sunglasses, her demeanor cold and businesslike.
"Ethan," she said, stepping onto the stone porch. "We are here to perform an emergency inventory audit of all assets on the property pursuant to the corporate restructuring claim."
"You're trespassing, Victoria," Ethan said calmly, leaning against the doorframe. "This property belongs to the family trust, not the corporation. Your father's lawyers know that."
One of the lawyers stepped forward, adjusting his glasses. "Mr. Vance, under Section 4 of the loan guarantee agreement, any property maintained using corporate overhead in the last fiscal year can be subjected to valuation."
"I paid maintenance out of my personal dividend, not corporate funds," Ethan replied smoothly, handing the lawyer a small sheaf of papers he had prepared with Marcus. "Here are the bank records, certified by an independent auditor. This house is clean. You have no jurisdiction here."
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Victoria took off her sunglasses, her eyes flashing with anger. "You think you're clever, don't you? Living in this giant mausoleum with a maid while your company collapses around you? You won't have a dime left by next month!"
"I don't care about the money, Victoria," Ethan said, looking her straight in the eye without anger or spite. "And that's why you can't defeat me. You're fighting for numbers on a screen. I'm fighting for my life."
