Chapter 5 - The Mother-in-Law’s Ruin
Eleanor Sterling always prided herself on being "old money." She treated me like the hired help because, in her eyes, I didn't have the pedigree to match her country club lifestyle.
Two days after they returned, Eleanor showed up at Arthur’s Manhattan office, demanding answers. I was sitting in the adjacent room, watching through the glass.
"This is an outrage!" Eleanor shrieked, slamming her designer purse on Arthur’s desk. "My son is a high-powered attorney! Victoria has no right to freeze my accounts! My pension is independent of David’s money!"
Arthur didn't even blink. He opened a file.
"Mrs. Sterling," Arthur said smoothly. "Your late husband left you with massive debts. You haven't had a pension in twelve years."
Eleanor turned pale. "What are you talking about? I receive a $15,000 direct deposit on the first of every month!"
"Yes," Arthur nodded. "From a charitable trust set up by Victoria. She paid off your mortgage. She funded your country club membership. She even paid for Chloe’s luxury car lease. She did it secretly because David was too proud to admit his family was broke."
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Eleanor collapsed into a leather chair, all the haughty arrogance draining from her face.
"Victoria was the floor you walked on," Arthur continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "And you spent ten years spitting on her. The trust has been dissolved. You currently have forty-two dollars in your checking account. I suggest you look into public housing."
