Chapter 9: The Trial of Public Shame
By mid-afternoon, Michael stood on the pavement outside his mother's Queens home. The contrast between his thousand-dollar Italian leather loafers and the cracked suburban sidewalk had never felt so stark.
Reporters had already tracked Eleanor’s address. When Michael stepped out of his cab, cameras flashed and microphones were shoved into his face.
""Michael Vance! Did you assault your mother to secure your marriage into the Sterling family?""
""Is it true your startup was funded by money your mother sacrificed her life savings for?""
""How do you respond to Arthur Sterling stripping your family of their trust?""
Michael pushed through the reporters, his face burning with humiliation, and pounded frantically on Eleanor's front door.
""Mom! Mom, please open up!"" he shouted, desperate. ""It’s Michael! Please, let me explain!""
The door remained firmly closed.
Instead, a black town car pulled up to the curb. Thomas stepped out, flanked by two imposing security officers. The reporters parted immediately.
Thomas walked up the porch steps, handing Michael a formal cease-and-desist document. ""Mr. Vance, Mrs. Eleanor Vance has retained private legal representation. You are instructed not to trespass on this property or contact her directly. Any further disruption will result in immediate civil and criminal restraining orders.""
""She’s my mother!"" Michael yelled, tears of anger and panic finally breaking through.
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""You should have remembered that yesterday at four o'clock,"" Thomas replied coldly. ""Now, please step off the property.""
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