Chapter 5 - The Frozen Accounts
The phone speaker crackled with Eleanor’s chillingly calm voice before she could even utter a greeting.
"I expected nothing less from a boy who chooses a life of common struggle over dynastic duty," Eleanor’s voice echoed sharply through the quiet office. "Richard, ensure the bank freezes every single credit line, corporate dividend, and personal checking account tied to his name immediately."
Julian stared at the phone in his uncle’s hand, a bitter realization settling over his chest. His mother wasn't just attempting to control him; she was attempting to starve his family out before they could mount a legal defense. He reached into his own pocket to pull out his smartphone, quickly opening his banking application. The screen spun for a few seconds before a stark, red banner flashed across the display: ACCOUNT TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR INSTITUTIONAL ADMINISTRATOR.
Clara watched his face fall, her own expression tightening with quiet resolve rather than fear. She shifted Leo, who let out a tiny coo in his sleep, completely unaware that the world around them was collapsing.
"They locked everything," Clara said quietly, stating the obvious fact with a calm that unnerved both Richard and Marcus.
Julian looked up from his phone, his eyes locking onto his uncle with a terrifying stillness. "You think cutting off my money renders me helpless? The Sterling name was built on innovation and grit, Richard, not the parasitic hoarding of ancestral wealth that you and Mother practice."
Richard sneered, sliding his phone back into his pocket. "Grit doesn't pay for baby formula, Julian. Let's see how long your noble pride lasts when you can't even afford rent by the end of the week."
With a flick of his wrist, Richard signaled the two security guards at the door. "Escort our guests out of the building. Marcus, stay put—we have paperwork to reconstruct before morning."
The guards stepped forward, their massive frames blocking the exit. Julian didn't flinch. He placed a protective hand on Clara’s back and guided her toward the elevators, keeping himself between them and the guards the entire way. As the elevator doors slid open to receive them, Julian looked back one last time at his uncle standing triumphantly among the scattered legal papers.
The ride down to the subterranean parking garage felt like a descent into an abyss. Once they were back inside the car, Clara reached out and gently touched Julian’s clenched fist on the center console.
"We'll be okay," Clara whispered, her voice steady. "My grandfather left me that small cabin outside the city limits years ago. It’s rustic, but it's safe, and nobody from the Sterling family knows it exists."
Julian looked at her, a wave of profound gratitude washing away the anger in his chest. He leaned over and kissed her forehead softly.
"We're going there tonight," Julian decided, putting the car in gear and pulling out of the parking structure into the rainy night streets.
They drove for two hours through winding mountain roads, the headlights cutting through the dense fog until they reached an old timber cabin nestled deep in the pine forest. Julian killed the engine, and as they stepped out into the damp, pine-scented air, he noticed a faint orange glow flickering through the dust-covered windows of the front porch.
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Someone was already inside the cabin, and the front door was standing slightly ajar.
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