Chapter 4 - Unmasking the Parasites
By 7:00 PM, the $600,000 house was filled with high-profile guests, local real estate developers, and prospective business partners whom Derek was desperate to impress. Silver trays of champagne bubbled, classical music played over the surround-sound system, and Derek stood in the center of the grand foyer in a tailored suit, laughing boisterously with a group of wealthy investors.
"Yes, we're thinking of expanding the patio next month," Derek boasted loudly, holding up a glass of scotch. "When I purchased this property, I knew it had immense potential. I'm looking to leverage the equity to launch my new venture."
Standing near the perimeter wall outside, hidden in the shadows of the garden, I watched the live video feed on my smartphone screen. Marcus sat beside me in his surveillance van, monitoring the audio feeds.
On screen, my mother stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a fresh tray of champagne flutes. Her knees visibly wobbled under the weight.
Evelyn, Melissa’s mother, intercepted her near the archway leading to the dining room.
"What took you so long, Ellen?" Evelyn hissed, her voice picking up clearly through the hidden microphone on my mother's brooch. "The guests are waiting! Look at you, you look like a beggar. Go put on some lipstick and wipe that pathetic look off your face before you embarrass my daughter."
"I'm sorry, Evelyn," my mother’s weak voice replied. "My knee is hurting very badly tonight..."
"I don't care about your knee!" Evelyn snapped, snatching the tray from her hands so violently that champagne splashed onto Evelyn's silk sleeve. Evelyn gasped in rage and shoved my mother backward.
My mother stumbled into the hallway wall, clutching her arm in pain.
Derek walked over, frowning. But instead of comforting his mother, he grabbed her by the shoulder and dragged her briskly toward the laundry room door.
"Mom, what the hell is wrong with you?" Derek growled in a harsh whisper, pushing her inside the small room. "You’re ruining tonight! Stay in here and don't come out until everyone leaves! Do you want me to put you in a state nursing home? Because if you keep acting like a helpless victim, that’s exactly where you’re going!"
"Derek... please..." my mother pleaded. "Iris came back... she knows..."
Derek’s face flushed with anger. "Iris doesn't control anything here! I have the power of attorney! She’s thousands of miles away and doesn't care about you! I run this family now. Now shut up and stay in your room!"
He slammed the laundry room door shut and locked it from the outside.
Inside the van, Marcus looked at me, his face grim. "We have it all, Iris. Physical assault, verbal abuse, false imprisonment, and clear intent of financial fraud. It’s locked on high-definition video with crystal-clear audio."
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I locked my phone screen. The time for gathering evidence was over.
"Call the police," I said, my voice ice cold. "And call Arthur. Tell him to execute Phase Two."
