Chapter 7 - The Morning AfterThe morning sun broke through the heavy overcast clouds, casting long, golden rays across the polished marble floors of the Sterling estate foyer. The rain had washed the estate clean, leaving the gardens sparkling and the air crisp with the promise of autumn.
At exactly 8:00 AM, a sleek black town car pulled up to the front gates, idling smoothly beside the fountain.
Two men in tailored dark suits stepped out of the vehicle and walked up the grand stone steps, ringing the front doorbell with precise, authoritative timing.
Nathan stood by the second-floor landing, holding a cup of hot black coffee, watching the proceedings with absolute detachment.
The front door swung open to reveal Vanessa. She had packed two massive designer luggage bags, her hair pulled back into a tight, severe ponytail, her expression hardened into a mask of pure, unadulterated venom. She looked up and caught Nathan standing on the landing above.
"You'll regret this, Nathan!" Vanessa shouted up the stairwell, her voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings. "This isn't over! I'll take half of everything you own before the courts are done with you!"
Nathan didn't flinch, nor did he raise his voice. He simply looked down at her with calm, steady indifference.
"The only thing you'll be taking with you, Vanessa, is whatever fits in those bags," Nathan replied quietly. "And if you ever step foot on this property again, my legal team won't just file for annulment—they'll have you prosecuted for every fraudulent dollar you wired out of my accounts."
The lead courier stepped between Vanessa and the doorway, gesturing firmly toward the waiting town car. "Ma'am. Your ride is ready. Let's move."
Fuming with suppressed rage, Vanessa snatched the handles of her luggage, shoved past the courier, and marched down the steps, her heels clicking angrily against the stone. She threw herself into the back seat of the car, slamming the door shut with a force that rattled the vehicle's frame.
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Within seconds, the town car accelerated down the private driveway, turning the corner and disappearing out of sight.
The estate fell utterly, beautifully silent.
