Chapter 5 - Eviction on Fifth Avenue
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Arthur Sterling stood up slowly. Though he was in his seventies, his towering presence dwarfed Ethan in every conceivable way.
“For three years, Ethan,” Arthur said, his voice dropping into a register of pure steel, “my granddaughter allowed you to play the wealthy provider because she wanted to believe you loved her for who she was. She kept her true identity hidden to test your character.”
“Your granddaughter...?” Beatrice whispered, her face turning gray as she clutched her throat. “She’s... she’s a Sterling?”
“She is the sole heiress to the Sterling Global fortune,” Arthur corrected coldly. “And this house—every brick, every chandelier, every piece of art—belongs exclusively to the Victoria Sterling Revocable Trust.”
Charles Montgomery, my private banker, stepped forward and handed Ethan a thick blue folder.
“As of 6:00 a.m. today, all joint accounts have been frozen pending a full forensic audit,” Charles stated. “The credit cards issued to you under the Sterling umbrella have been revoked. Furthermore, Mrs. Sterling has formally filed an emergency eviction order.”
Ethan fell to his knees on the marble floor, looking up at me with desperate, watery eyes.
“Victoria... please!” he sobbed, reaching out toward my heels. “I was drunk! I was stressed about work! You know I love you! Please don't do this to us!”
I looked down at him, feeling no anger, no hatred—only a profound, icy indifference.
“You told me last night that I needed to learn respect, Ethan,” I said softly. “Today, you are going to learn what accountability feels like.”
My grandfather motioned to the two security guards standing at his flank.
“Escort Mr. Vale and his mother off the property immediately,” Arthur commanded. “They may take only the clothes on their backs.”
“You can’t do this!” Beatrice screamed as the guard grabbed her silk arm. “My designer bags! My jewelry! Ethan, do something!”
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“Get your hands off me!” Ethan howled as Marcus, my chief of security, hauled him up by his collar and began dragging him toward the grand entrance. “Victoria! EVELYN!”
The grand oak doors slammed shut behind them, leaving the mansion in blissful, echoing silence.
