Chapter 1 - The First Strike
“Go eat in the bathroom, Margaret. You’re already used to cleaning up after everyone,” Chloe sneered, her sparkly evening gown catching the crystal chandelier light.
“You speak of service as if it were a stain, Chloe, while you wear dresses bought with the very labor you mock,” Margaret replied, her voice dropping to a dangerous, steady register.
“Oh, save the melodrama for the hired help, mother-in-law. Julian, tell her to stop ruining the anniversary dinner with her depressing presence,” Chloe snapped, turning her sharp, painted fingernails toward her husband.
“Just leave it, Chloe. Margaret, please, it’s a celebration. Can you just step away for a moment?” Julian added, not even looking up from his pristine plate of imported steak.
Margaret stood tall in her cream satin dress, her pearl earrings catching the cool glare of the dining room lights. She did not raise her voice. She did not tremble. She simply met her son’s cold, dismissive eyes with a look of profound disappointment that carried the weight of a dying empire.
“Put plan B into action. Tonight. Stop every transfer going to my son,” Margaret commanded into her smartphone as she walked down the long, mahogany-paneled hallway.
Julian felt his phone vibrate sharply against the Italian wool of his navy suit. He pulled it out, swiping the screen open while glancing down at the platinum credit card resting lazily between his fingers. The color instantly drained from his face as the notification banner flashed across the OLED display in bold, unforgiving crimson text.
“What’s wrong, honey? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Chloe asked, her bright, mocking tone suddenly faltering as she noticed the rigid, terrifying posture of her husband.
Julian didn’t answer her immediately. He slowly turned his head away from the table, staring down the dimly lit hallway toward the heavy oak front door.
May you like
Margaret was already gone, but the front door was slowly swinging open on its own, revealing three federal agents standing quietly on the porch.
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