Chapter 5 - Stripped Bare
My father took two steps forward, standing directly above Adrian. He signaled the two operators flanking him, who immediately seized Adrian by the elbows and wrenched him to his feet. Adrian groaned as his arms were pinned behind his back, his designer suit rumpled, his hair disheveled, and his eyes wide with unadulterated panic.
""You like taking things from my daughter, don't you?"" Alexander Sterling asked softly, his tone dangerously conversational. ""You took her peace. You took her dignity. You even took the anniversary gifts you promised her and handed them to a cheap, social-climbing sycophant.""
My father turned his icy gaze toward Vanessa. ""Take the bracelet off.""
Vanessa’s hands shook so violently she couldn't unhook the delicate platinum clasp. ""I—I can't get it open! Please don't hurt me! I'll give it back! I'll give everything back!""
One of the operators stepped forward, grabbed her wrist with an iron grip, and smoothly severed the platinum chain with a specialized wire cutter. The diamond bracelet tumbled to the carpet. Vanessa let out a whimpering sob, curling into a ball on the sofa and covering her head with her hands.
""Now, her purse,"" my father commanded.
The operator snatched Vanessa’s designer crocodile-skin handbag, dumping its entire contents onto the coffee table. Gold credit cards, car keys, diamond earrings, and expensive makeup rolled across the mahogany surface.
""Every single luxury item purchased on corporate cards linked to Vale Capital is confiscated under the asset-recovery injunction,"" Eleanor announced, checking off items on an iPad. ""Furthermore, Miss Hart, your parents' suburban residence in New Jersey was purchased through a secondary mortgage funded by an offshore shell entity controlled by Mr. Vale. Foreclosure notices were dispatched by certified courier ten minutes ago. You and your family will be vacated from the premises by sunrise.""
""No!"" Vanessa shrieked, falling off the sofa onto the floor, clutching at Eleanor’s tailored slacks. ""My parents have nothing to do with this! They're old! They don't have anywhere else to go! Please, Mrs. Eleanor, Mr. Sterling! I'll do anything! I'll scrub the floors! Just don't take their house!""
""You had no pity when my daughter was bleeding on this floor,"" my father said, not even looking down at her. ""You counted to two hundred with a glass of champagne in your hand. You demanded the final strike when even your spineless lover hesitated. You will reap exactly what you have sown.""
He gestured to the guards. ""Remove her. Strip her of all jewelry, shoes, and designer clothing purchased with my family's money. Hand her a prison smock and leave her on the public sidewalk outside the gate. The federal marshals waiting down the road can take custody of her for complicity in financial fraud.""
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Two operators dragged Vanessa away as she kicked, screamed, and begged for mercy. Her shrill cries echoed down the long marble corridor before finally fading into the night outside as the heavy front doors slammed shut behind her.
Then, my father turned his full, undivided attention back to Adrian.
