Chapter 4 - The Eviction
"Proxy transfer?" Miranda whispered, her voice trembling. "Julian, what did you do?"
"He saved himself," I answered coldly. "And whatever is left of his father's legitimate business. Julian agreed to surrender your controlling shares of Sterling Real Estate to Cross Vanguard Holdings to avoid federal prison time."
I reached out and took a glass of champagne from a passing, completely bewildered waiter. I raised the glass toward Miranda, mirroring the exact, cruel gesture she had made from her terrace just days before.
"This isn't a birthday gala, Miranda," I said, my voice ringing with finality. "This is a foreclosure party. As of 8:00 PM tonight, Cross Vanguard owns your company, your offshore accounts, and this estate. You are officially trespassing on my property."
Tears of pure, unadulterated humiliation spilled over Miranda’s perfectly powdered cheeks. The woman who had spent years treating the working class like dirt was now standing completely bankrupt in front of three hundred of her peers.
"You can't do this to me," she sobbed, her hands shaking. "Where will I go?"
"I don't know," I said, taking a slow sip of the champagne. "But I left a bucket and a blue uniform in the staff quarters. I hear housekeeping pays minimum wage."
May you like
I turned my back on her.
I didn't stay to watch security—now officially on my payroll—escort the screaming, ruined billionaire out of the front doors. I simply walked through the parted crowd of terrified elites, the emerald necklace heavy and cold against my skin, finally stepping out of the shadows and taking my rightful place at the top of the city.
