Chapter 3 - The Job Interview Fiasco
Downstairs, the front door rattled under three heavy, authoritative knocks that echoed through the grand foyer like thunderclaps.
Evelyn practically flew down the curved oak staircase, her silk robe billowing behind her, her face flushed with fury. Violet trailed closely behind, chewing her lower lip, clutching her designer purse against her chest like a shield.
"How dare they!" Evelyn hissed, marching toward the door. She unlocked the newly installed deadbolt and yanked the heavy wood inward. "What is the meaning of this circus? This is private property!"
Standing on the limestone porch was Deputy Sheriff Miller, a broad-shouldered man with a stern, unyielding expression, his hand resting casually near his duty belt. Beside him stood Julian Vance, whose expression looked as though it had been chiseled out of solid granite.
"Mrs. Evelyn Sterling?" Deputy Miller asked, pulling a clipboard from under his arm.
"Yes, I am Mrs. Sterling! And I demand to know why you are trespassing on my estate with this... this legal vulture!" She pointed an accusatory finger directly at Julian.
Julian didn’t even flinch. He adjusted his titanium-framed glasses and stepped forward, pulling a crisp, blue-backed document from his briefcase.
"Good morning, Evelyn. I am here representing Nora Sterling, the sole legal owner and titleholder of Oakridge Manor. Deputy Miller is here to serve you with two distinct court orders issued less than two hours ago by the presiding judge of the County Superior Court."
Julian handed the first document directly to Deputy Miller, who presented it to Evelyn.
"This is an Emergency Protective Order and Temporary Restraining Order," Deputy Miller stated formally. "Issued against you, Evelyn Sterling, following a verified domestic violence assault report filed last night at the Central Urgent Care Facility. You are legally required to maintain a distance of no less than five hundred yards from Nora Sterling, her vehicle, and her places of business."
"Assault?!" Evelyn laughed hysterically, though her voice wavered. "She is lying! She made a dramatic scene over an accidental spill! A kitchen mishap! I am her mother!"
"You threw a bowl of boiling soup directly into her face, Evelyn," Julian said, his voice dropping into a register of terrifying calm. "Every single angle of that kitchen is covered by 4K closed-circuit security cameras installed by Arthur four years ago. The footage has been preserved, authenticated, and handed to the District Attorney’s office. The detective assigned to the case will be contacting you for formal processing."
Evelyn felt the ground beneath her begin to tilt. *The cameras.* She had completely forgotten about the discreet, smoked-glass domes mounted in the corners of the kitchen ceiling.
"Now," Julian continued, drawing a second document from his brief. "This is an Emergency Writ of Immediate Possession and Exclusion Order. Under the terms of Arthur Sterling’s testamentary trust, your right of residency was explicitly contingent upon non-violence and lawful conduct. Your assault against the sole deed holder instantly severed your license to occupy these premises."
Violet pushed her way forward, her eyes wide with rage. "You can't do this! I have a job interview at Apex Capital in two hours! My clothes are here! My makeup is here! You can’t just kick us out into the street!"
Julian’s gaze shifted to Violet, his eyes sweeping over her with clinical disdain.
"Miss Hayes, you have no legal standing whatsoever on this property. You are an unauthorized guest whose permission to remain was tied entirely to your mother’s now-revoked residency. And speaking of Apex Capital..."
Julian checked his gold wristwatch with deliberate slowness.
"The managing partner of Apex Capital happens to be Richard Vance. My first cousin. And a man whose personal portfolio Nora has architecturally designed for the past six years. When I informed him this morning that an applicant named Violet Hayes might be arriving wearing jewelry stolen from Nora Sterling's private collection—specifically, an inscribed Cartier tennis bracelet—he asked me to inform you that your interview has been permanently canceled. In fact, campus security has been instructed to escort you off their commercial property if you even attempt to enter the lobby."
Violet gasped, her hand instinctively flying to cover the glittering diamond bracelet on her wrist. "You... you ruined my interview?!"
"You ruined yourself the moment you encouraged the assault of the woman who bought the food you ate and the roof over your head," Julian shot back, stepping aside.
Deputy Miller stepped into the threshold, blocking Evelyn from closing the door.
"Mrs. Sterling, Miss Hayes. Under the terms of this writ, you have precisely thirty minutes to pack two suitcases of strictly personal clothing. Any jewelry, art, electronics, or furnishings belonging to the estate will remain here. If you attempt to remove property belonging to Nora Sterling, you will be arrested on the spot for grand larceny. You have thirty minutes. The locksmith is changing the locks back to the estate’s master security system right now."
"Thirty minutes?!" Evelyn screamed, her voice echoing shrilly across the marble foyer. "Are you insane?! This is my home! I demand to speak to Nora! Nora!"
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"Nora is not here," Julian said coldly. "And if you attempt to call, text, or approach her, Deputy Miller will place those handcuffs around your wrists before you can finish dialing. Your thirty minutes starts now, Evelyn. I suggest you pack fast."
***