Chapter 9 - The Ashes of the Mansion
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By three o'clock that afternoon, two black armored SUVs pulled up to my mother's house. Four tall men in dark suits stepped out, led by a sharp-looking woman with silver hair and a silver briefcase.
My mother opened the door and greeted her with a nod. "Natalie."
"Director Evelyn," the woman said respectfully, bowing slightly. She turned to me with a sharp, professional smile. "Miss Maya. My name is Natalie Brooks, chief legal officer for The Apex Council. We are here to escort you back to the Vance estate to recover your personal effects and assume control."
"Assume control?" I asked, looking at my mother.
"Declan was evicted two hours ago," Natalie explained, opening her briefcase to reveal a thick stack of legal documents. "The property has been transferred entirely into your name. Federal agents have cleared the premises."
Twenty minutes later, I was sitting in the back of the armored SUV as we drove back into the gated community I had fled barefoot just hours ago.
When we arrived, police cruisers and federal sedans surrounded the driveway. Yellow caution tape fluttered in the autumn breeze.
I stepped out of the vehicle, wearing a clean coat provided by Natalie.
As I walked into the grand foyer, I saw federal agents cataloging Declan's luxury watches, art collection, and designer clothes into heavy plastic bins.
Standing near the broken glass cabinet in the living room was Declan, handcuffed, flanked by two federal marshals. His hair was wild, his suit crumpled, and his face pale with utter defeat.
When he saw me enter flanked by armed security and high-level corporate attorneys, his eyes widened in horror.
"Maya!" Declan yelled, struggling against his restraints. "Tell them! Tell them this is a mistake! You can't let them take everything!"
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I walked up to him, stopping right in front of the broken glass.
"It's not a mistake, Declan," I said smoothly. "You told me last night that if I ran, I'd regret it. But looking at you right now... I don't regret a single step."
