Chapter 3 - The Cold Terms of Forfeiture
Ten minutes later, the grand front entrance doors swept open.
Arthur Vance, the senior managing partner of Vance, Sterling & Cole—and the primary executor of the late patriarch’s estate—strode into the foyer carrying a leather briefcase. Right behind him were two uniformed police officers and Evelyn Vance, Victoria and Lucas’s mother.
"What is going on here?!" Evelyn gasped, rushing into the room wearing her gold jewelry and pastel suit. She took one look at Victoria, who was shivering in a towel provided by the estate butler, and gasped in horror. "Victoria! Why are you drenched?! Lucas, what did you do to your sister?!"
"Mother, shut up and sit down," Lucas commanded, his tone so authoritative that even Evelyn stopped in her tracks, her mouth agape.
Arthur set his briefcase down on the marble dining table, unlatching the brass locks with a sharp CLICK.
"Mr. Vance," Arthur said professionally, nodding toward Lucas before bowing his head respectfully toward Clara, who was now sitting on the plush sofa wrapped in Lucas’s jacket. "I brought the original sealed copy of the Grandfather’s Living Trust, as requested via your emergency alert."
"Read Section 12, Paragraph B aloud, Arthur," Lucas ordered, standing over his wife with his arms folded across his chest. "Read it so my mother and sister understand exactly what happened in this room twenty minutes ago."
Arthur pulled out a thick parchment document bearing the red wax seal of the state court. He adjusted his glasses and read in a clear, resonant voice:
"Section 12, Paragraph B: Behavioral Conduct and Family Inheritance Mandate. Should any named beneficiary of this trust execute physical violence, unprovoked harassment, or deliberate destruction of personal property against my grandson Lucas Vance or his lawful wife, Clara Sterling Vance, on the grounds of the family estate... all financial allotments, stock options, and real estate rights assigned to said beneficiary shall immediately and permanently be forfeited. The forfeited assets shall instantly transfer in full to Clara Sterling Vance."
A silence so profound fell over the grand hall that the sound of water dripping from Victoria’s wet clothes onto the rug sounded like falling stones.
Evelyn turned ghastly pale. "Arthur... what kind of ridiculous clause is that?! My father was sick when he signed that! He was manipulated!"
"Your father was completely sane, Mrs. Vance," Arthur replied coldly. "He knew Victoria had a history of malice toward Clara. He added this specific clause to ensure Clara was protected from family hostility after his passing."
"No!" Victoria shrieked, dropping her towel and charging toward the table. "That’s impossible! My share of the trust is worth $150 million! You can't take my inheritance away because of a stupid argument!"
"It wasn't an argument, Victoria," Lucas said, pulling his phone out and tapping the screen.
The 85-inch television screen on the wall flickered to life. In crystalline 4K resolution, the video showed Victoria corners Clara, pressing her stiletto heel onto Clara's chest, and stomping repeatedly on the crystal music box while screaming: "You're a parasite! I'll destroy everything you love until you leave this family!"
The two police officers stepped forward immediately, pulling handcuffs from their utility belts.
"Victoria Vance," the lead officer announced. "You are under arrest for third-degree assault, criminal mischief, and harassment. Hands behind your back."
"Mother! Do something!" Victoria screamed as the steel cuffs clicked around her wrists. "Lucas! You can't do this to me!"
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Lucas didn't even look at her as the officers dragged her toward the front door. He simply looked down at Arthur.
"Execute the transfer papers immediately, Arthur," Lucas said flatly. "Every single cent of Victoria's $150 million share now belongs to my wife."
