Chapter 5 - The Confrontation
Ten minutes later, the atmosphere inside the mansion was at its peak. Derek was standing in the center of the living room, holding his glass high to make a toast to his potential investors.
"To new beginnings, strategic partnerships, and taking control of our financial destiny!" Derek announced proudly.
"To taking control of what isn't yours!" a voice echoed sharply across the room.
The music suddenly cut out. The grand double front doors swung open, and I walked into the foyer. Behind me walked Arthur Pendelton, holding a thick leather briefcase, accompanied by two uniformed police officers.
The room went dead silent. Guests turned around in shock, whispers rippling through the crowd.
Derek’s face went white, but he quickly tried to regain his composure, stepping forward with an anxious, forced smile.
"Iris? What... what is the meaning of this?" Derek stuttered, chuckling nervously toward his guests. "Everyone, I’m so sorry. This is my sister... she's been traveling abroad and is a bit overwhelmed..."
"Save it, Derek," I said, my voice ringing out with terrifying authority through the high ceilings. "Officers, the woman who lives here is currently locked inside the laundry room at the end of that hallway. Please free her immediately."
One of the officers moved past Derek without hesitation.
"Hey! You can't just walk through my house like this!" Melissa screamed, stepping forward angrily. "Who do you think you are? This is our private property!"
"Your property?" I smiled, a dark, cold smile that made Melissa freeze in her tracks.
I turned to the gathered crowd of investors and local elites.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for interrupting your evening," I said clearly. "My name is Iris Vance. Six years ago, I bought this home in full with my own money for my mother. Tonight, you are standing in a house owned legally and solely by me."
Gasps erupted across the room.
"Derek!" one of the investors, an elderly businessman, turned to him with a scowl. "You told us this was your personal asset! You offered to put this property up as collateral for our venture fund!"
"He lied," Arthur Pendelton stepped forward, pulling legal documents from his briefcase. "Derek Vance has committed felony forgery, attempting to illegally transfer property deeds using a fraudulent power of attorney. Furthermore, we have just filed an emergency injunction freezing all accounts associated with Vanguard Living LLC due to systematic embezzlement of elder trust funds exceeding $140,000."
"That's a lie! She's crazy!" Melissa shrieked, her face contorting in panic.
Just then, the police officer walked back into the living room, gently supporting my mother. My mother was pale, clutching her bruised arm, wearing her faded apron.
The sight of the frail, injured elderly woman being led out of a locked laundry room in front of thirty high-society guests sent a shockwave of disgust through the room.
Evelyn tried to sneak toward the back exit, but the second police officer stepped in front of her.
"Evelyn Miller?" the officer asked sternly. "We have video evidence of physical assault against an elder. You need to come with us."
"Assault?!" Evelyn shrieked. "She's an old, clumsy maid! She tripped!"
"We have it on tape, ma'am," the officer replied coldly, pulling out handcuffs. "With clear audio."
The room erupted into chaos. Investors began rushing for the exit, muttering insults and pulling their business cards back from Derek.
"Iris! Please! We're family!" Derek dropped to his knees in front of me, his eyes wide with desperate terror as he reached for my coat. "It was Melissa! She pushed me into this! I was in debt, Iris! I didn't know what else to do!"
I looked down at my brother—the boy I used to protect, the man who had traded his mother’s blood and dignity for modern furniture and cheap status.
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I leaned down, my eyes locking onto his.
"You have twenty-four hours to pack your things and get out of my house," I whispered softly. "Or the next place you live will have iron bars on the windows."
