Chapter 5 - Unholy AllianceDavid Sterling sat in my glass study, drinking espresso while reviewing the original title to Stonehaven alongside the forged lease agreement Sam had handed him two months prior.
As a seasoned property developer, it took him less than three minutes to spot the discrepancies.
"The notary stamp on this lease," Sterling said, his eyes narrowing as he held the paper up to the sunlight. "It’s fake. The commission number belongs to a notary in Oregon who retired three years ago."
"My sister forged it," I said plainly. "My father co-signed her corporate credit line. They used my property address to validate a fraudulent commercial account."
Sterling set the coffee cup down with a sharp clink. His expression shifted from righteous anger at me to cold, calculating rage toward Sam and my parents.
"My daughter has been planning this wedding for eighteen months," Sterling said quietly. "We sent out 250 invitations to executives, politicians, and family from across the country. Your sister took my $25,000 check, cashed it at a private check-cashing service instead of depositing it into a corporate escrow account, and told my daughter three days ago that the lighting upgrades would cost an extra $10,000."
"I am truly sorry for what your daughter is going through, Mr. Sterling," I said sincerely. "If I had known about this two months ago, I would have stopped it instantly."
Sterling looked around my study, taking in the elegant art, the orderly files, and my quiet, unyielding composure.
"You're not the monster your sister painted you to be in her online rant," Sterling observed.
"No. I'm just the cash cow that finally broke out of the fence."
Sterling smiled—a slow, predatory expression. "My legal team is one of the most aggressive in the state, Miss Vance. I was planning to sue you along with your sister. But now that I see you're a victim of real estate fraud yourself... how would you feel about combining our forces?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"Your sister and father didn't just commit fraud; they committed commercial extortion," Sterling said, leaning forward. "My attorneys can file an emergency court motion to freeze all assets associated with Stonehaven Celebrations Ltd. and your father's guarantor accounts within four hours. But I want your sister to answer for this publicly."
"She scheduled a press conference," I revealed, pulling up my phone. "She’s holding a live stream outside the county courthouse tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM. She claims she's going to 'expose' me for breach of verbal contract and demand public justice."
Sterling let out a dry laugh. "She’s holding a press conference?"
May you like
"Yes."
"Excellent," Sterling stood up, buttoning his suit jacket. "Then let’s make sure she has an audience she will never forget."
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