Chapter 3 - The Eviction of Vipers
The grand entrance of the Sterling Estate—a sprawling 12,000-square-foot historic mansion nestled on the cliffs overlooking the bay—was quiet when the moving trucks arrived.
Although Daniel and Vivian were behind bars, Daniel’s younger sister, Chloe, and his cousin, Julian Jr., had been living in the guest house for the past year, enjoying the luxury amenities, expensive wines, and sports cars bought with my family’s trust allowance.
I watched through the live security cameras from my hospital room as Julian Vance stood on the front porch of my estate, flanked by four county sheriffs and a team of private movers.
Chloe opened the heavy mahogany doors wearing a silk robe, a wine glass in her hand. “What is the meaning of this? Do you know who my brother is?”
Julian Vance pulled out a sealed court order. “I know who he is, Ms. Mercer. He’s an inmate at County Jail. And you are a trespasser on property owned exclusively by the Sterling Family Irrevocable Trust.”
“This house belongs to Daniel!” Chloe shrieked, her face turning pale. “He signed the transfer papers!”
“He signed forged copies that hold zero legal standing,” Julian Vance stated calmly. “You have thirty minutes to pack one suitcase of personal clothing. Everything else in this house—the cars, the artwork, the jewelry, and the furniture—was purchased using trust assets and is now under court-ordered seizure.”
Sheriffs stepped past her, placing yellow security seals on the garage doors where three luxury vehicles were parked. Moving crews began carrying out high-end furniture and packing expensive decor into boxes.
“You can’t do this!” Chloe screamed, grabbing her phone. “I’m calling Daniel’s lawyers!”
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“Call whoever you like,” Julian Vance said, turning his back on her. “But if you are still on this property in twenty-nine minutes, you will be arrested for criminal trespass.”
From my hospital bed, I watched as Chloe sobbed on the driveway, surrounded by two cheap suitcases, watching the gates of the only world she knew slam shut and lock forever.
