Chapter 3 - The Collapse
Eleanor tried to stand, her poise completely shattered. "You're ruining us!" she hissed at me, her voice shrill. "After everything I did for you? After raising you?"
"You didn't raise me, Eleanor," I said, my voice cutting through her panic. "You managed me. You managed my life, my money, and my future, all while waiting for me to fail. You wanted me to be weak because you knew that if I were strong, you wouldn't be able to control me."
"Your Honor, she’s manipulating the situation!" Julian yelled, standing up. "She’s a liar! She’s always been the black sheep of the family!"
"Mr. Owens," the Judge said, standing up himself. The authority in his voice commanded the room. "The evidence presented today suggests that the only person 'manipulating' this family is you. Bailiff, please escort Mr. Owens from the courtroom. His presence is no longer required."
"No!" Julian lunged forward, but the bailiff was faster, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the door. Julian’s expensive suit, the symbol of his ill-gotten gains, looked disheveled as he was forced out.
Eleanor sat down heavily. The strength had left her legs. She looked at me, and for a split second, I saw a flicker of the mother she pretended to be. It was a pathetic, fleeting thing, and it didn't move me at all.
"Victoria," she whispered, "can't we talk about this? Between us? We’re family."
"Family is a bond of trust, Eleanor," I said, opening my folder to the final page—a document granting me total power of attorney over the remaining family assets. "You burned that bridge a long time ago."
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Judge Vance signed the order, his pen scratching against the paper like the final gavel strike. "Miss Owens, I am granting your request for an immediate freeze on all assets. I am also referring this entire case to the District Attorney’s office for further criminal proceedings."
The gavel slammed down.
