Chapter 3 - The Midnight Eviction
The grand clock in the foyer chimed 11:00 PM. The rain outside had intensified, lashing against the floor-to-ceiling windows of the estate, casting erratic shadows across the imported stone pillars.
Beatrice attempted to pivot from indignation to emotional manipulation. Her eyes welled with manufactured tears as she took a trembling step toward Julian. "We are your blood, Julian. We took care of you when you were nothing. Elena is a newcomer—she doesn't understand our bond. Are you really going to throw your own mother and sisters out into the street in the middle of the night?"
"No," Julian replied calmly. "I am not throwing you out in the middle of the night. I am giving you until ten o'clock tomorrow morning."
Vanessa let out a shriek of defiance. "We have legal rights! You can't just evict us! We've lived here for four years! I'll call the police!"
"Call them," Julian said, gesturing toward the landline on the side table. "Please. Explain to the Seattle Police Department that you are refusing to leave a residence owned by my trust, where you pay zero rent, after harassing and endangering a pregnant woman. While the officers are here, I will have my corporate security team file formal criminal trespassing charges against all four of you."
Clara’s face went pale. She looked at Beatrice for support, but for the first time in six years, Beatrice looked entirely powerless. The illusion of their dominance had shattered the moment Julian stopped acting like an automated teller machine and started acting like the master of the estate.
"Where are we supposed to go?" Harper whimpered, shrinking back into the corner of the sectional. "I have finals next week. I can't pay for an apartment."
"You have six thousand dollars in your personal checking account from the birthday bonus I gave you last month," Julian said coldly to his youngest sister. "That is more than enough for first and last month’s rent on a modest two-bedroom apartment near the university. I suggest you start packing."
He turned his back on them, effectively ending the negotiation. He walked back to Elena, extended his hand, and gently pulled her up from the armchair.
May you like
"We are leaving for the night," Julian said, addressing the room without looking at them. "I have booked a suite at the Fairmont downtown. When I return tomorrow morning at ten o'clock with my security detail and my estate attorney, I expect this house to be empty. If any of you leave so much as a single scratch on the walls, or if I find out a single piece of Elena’s property is missing, I will sue you for damages and withhold every cent of your inheritance from Father’s estate."
Without waiting for a response, he wrapped his arm securely around Elena’s waist and guided her toward the heavy oak front door, leaving his mother and sisters standing in the dead, cold silence of the mansion they had just lost.
