Chapter 4 - The Uninvited Guest at the Doorbell
The sharp chime of the doorbell echoed through the foyer, freezing everyone in their tracks. It wasn't the polite, muted ring of a friendly neighbor; it was the insistent, authoritative chime of someone who knew they had every right to be there.
Julianna pressed her palms against her cheeks, her royal blue dress rustling frantically as she paced. "Ignore it. Tell them we're not receiving guests today. Tell them the photographer is still here."
Arthur took two rapid strides toward the heavy oak door, his hand hovering over the brass handle. "If this is another one of your bureaucratic pranks, Marcus, I swear I will have you physically removed from this property before the hour is out."
"Go ahead," Marcus invited smoothly, gesturing toward the door. "Open it. See who is standing on the other side. Ask them if they have an appointment."
Before Arthur could turn the handle, the door swung inward on its own hinges. A tall, impeccably dressed woman in a sharp emerald-green trench coat stepped into the foyer. Her hair was swept back into a severe chignon, and her eyes—sharp, calculating, and painfully familiar—swept over the terrified faces in the living room. Behind her stood two men in identical dark suits carrying heavy leather briefcases.
"Good afternoon," the woman said, her voice rich and melodic, carrying an undeniable aura of absolute power. "I am Victoria Vance. And I believe we have an appointment regarding the transition of ownership."
Julianna let out a strangled gasp, stumbling backward until the back of her knees hit the sofa. "Victoria? You... you live abroad. You haven't set foot in this city in over a decade."
Victoria smiled, a cold, predatory curve of her lips. "People change their minds, Julianna. Especially when they discover that their childhood home has been occupied by squatters who treat legitimate family members like dirt."
Eleanor straightened her white dress, attempting to reclaim her regal authority. "Victoria, this is absurd. This estate belongs to the family trust. You have no legal standing here without my signature."
Victoria pulled a thick leather-bound folio from one of the briefcases handed to her by the men in suits. She flipped it open to a heavily stamped document and held it up for the room to see.
"Your signature, Eleanor, was invalidated the moment you committed fiduciary fraud by hiding my late brother's true will," Victoria said smoothly, her eyes locking onto the older woman. "And as for the trust..." She paused, looking directly at Marcus and little Lily. "...the new owner is already inside."
Marcus nodded slowly, stepping aside to reveal Lily, who was still holding his hand.
Victoria knelt down, ignoring the dust on the floor, and looked directly into the little girl's tear-stained face. "Hello, Lily. I'm your aunt. And next Monday, we are going to redecorate every single room in this house."
May you like
Julianna screamed, a high-pitched sound of pure panic, as Victoria reached into her briefcase and pulled out a red folder marked with a single word: Eviction.
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