Chapter 8 - The Executor’s Terms
"You really should update your locks, Tessa," Elena Vance said, not even bothering to look up as she set her teacup down on the entry table. "Though, I suppose it doesn't matter much now, seeing as you don't actually own the deed."
Tessa stepped across the threshold, her posture rigid, every muscle in her body coiled like a spring. "Who let you in?"
"The front door doesn't need a key when you hold the master mortgage note," Elena replied smoothly, turning her gaze toward Tessa. Her eyes were an unsettling, pale shade of green—the exact same shade as the cheap pharmacy bracelet Tessa had left on the boardroom table. "Conrad was a fool. He thought he was the king of this castle, but he was merely the caretaker. When he married you, we allowed him to play dress-up because we thought you'd be a quiet, compliant little ornament who would keep him out of federal crosshairs."
Maya stepped up beside Tessa, crossing her arms over her chest. "And who the hell are you? The collection agency?"
Elena’s lips curled into a cold, thin smile as she looked Maya up and down. "I am the person who funded Conrad's first real estate development firm using family assets that predate both of these women. And right now, I am the person offering you a very simple choice."
"We don't negotiate with corporate ghouls," Tessa said, stepping forward until she was just six feet away from Elena. "The feds have Conrad, and the accounts are frozen under federal seal. Whatever shadow trust you're running, it's about to be subpoenaed."
Elena let out a short, dry laugh that sounded like dry leaves scraping across concrete. "Subpoenaed by whom? The local district attorney? My dear Tessa, do you honestly believe the federal government cares about white-collar shuffling in a domestic holding company when we hold the sovereign debt contracts for three major municipal transit systems in this state?"
She reached into her coat pocket, pulled out a thick manila envelope, and tossed it onto the entry table. It landed with a heavy, ominous thud.
"Open it," Elena instructed softly.
Tessa didn't move. Maya stepped forward, picked up the envelope, flipped the metal clasp, and pulled out a stack of documents. As Maya’s eyes scanned the first page, the color drained completely from her face.
"El," Maya whispered, her voice trembling. "This... this isn't just about Conrad's accounts. This is the title transfer for my repair shop. And... and a tax evasion audit filed under your maiden name dating back to when you were waiting tables."
May you like
Elena smiled, stepping closer to the bottom of the stairs. "You see, Tessa? You thought you were auditing Conrad. But you were actually walking right into a trap that was laid for you the day you signed your marriage certificate. You either sign over the remaining domestic equity to Veritas Global by midnight tonight, or we release the forged tax documents that put you away for twenty years alongside your beloved husband."
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