Chapter 5 - The Eviction
At two o'clock that afternoon, two Cook County sheriff’s cruisers pulled up the long circular driveway of the manor, accompanied by a flatbed tow truck and a professional moving crew hired by Samuel Grayson’s office.
Linda and Melanie were sitting in the solarium, drinking wine and frantically shouting into their cell phones, attempting to find a criminal defense firm willing to take my father’s case without an upfront cash retainer. When the heavy front doors swung open and Deputy Sheriff Miller walked in with a court-ordered writ of immediate eviction, Linda dropped her wine glass, sending red liquid splattering across the white marble tile.
""What is the meaning of this?!"" Linda shrieked, jumping to her feet. ""You cannot enter my home without a warrant!""
""This is not your home, Mrs. Hayes,"" Deputy Miller said in an authoritative baritone, holding out a certified blue document stamped by the circuit court judge. ""This is a writ of ejectment. As of twelve noon today, the deed of Hayes Manor has been transferred to its legal owner, Sadie Hayes. You and your daughter Melanie Hayes have two hours to pack your essential personal clothing. All furniture, artwork, family silver, and vehicles purchased through estate funds remain under court-ordered sequestration.""
Melanie came sprinting down the grand staircase, her face flushed red with absolute hysterical rage.
""Sadie! You disgusting little rat!"" she screamed, spotting me standing in the foyer beside Wyatt and Grayson. ""You're throwing your own mother and sister out onto the street?!""
""You didn't have any problem watching Dad hit me with a brick onto the concrete,"" I said, stepping forward. My voice was steady, without a tremor of fear. ""You didn't shed a tear when you thought my face was destroyed forever. You were only thinking about how fast you could steal my fiancé.""
""Wyatt is too good for you!"" Melanie shrieked, her voice cracking into a shrill pitch. ""You're a scarred freak! Look at your face! He's going to dump you the moment the sympathy wears off!""
Wyatt took a single step toward her, his expression so lethal that Melanie instinctively scrambled backward onto the stairs.
""If you ever speak to Sadie like that again,"" Wyatt said, his voice deadly quiet, ""I will ensure that the civil lawsuit we filed against you this morning for conspiracy to commit murder takes every stitch of clothing off your back. You have ninety minutes to pack two suitcases each. Anything left behind will be hauled directly to the municipal incinerator.""
""I am your mother!"" Linda cried, sinking to her knees, attempting to play the role of the weeping, heartbroken matriarch. ""Sadie, please! Think of what people will say! What will the church community think? What will our friends at the club say if we are seen living in a cheap motel?""
""The club canceled your membership three hours ago, Linda,"" Samuel Grayson remarked from the doorway. ""And the church elders saw the video of you laughing while your daughter was bleeding out on the lawn. Several members have already contacted the state attorney offering character testimony against you.""
Linda’s fake sorrow instantly vanished, replaced by the ugly, venomous hatred that had poisoned her entire life. She stood up, dusting off her slacks, her eyes narrowed like slits.
""You won't last a year running Arthur's company,"" Linda hissed at me. ""You don't have the brains for it. You'll run it into bankruptcy, and when you do, don't you dare come crawling to us for help!""
""Your husband ran Hayes Logistics forty million dollars into debt,"" I replied coldly. ""I've been auditing the books with Mr. Grayson's accountants all morning. I know where every nickel went. And starting Monday, Hayes Logistics will be reorganized, the loyal workers who were denied their pensions will be made whole, and your names will be expunged from every plaque, directory, and document in the city.""
The moving crew moved into the master bedrooms with large cardboard boxes. Linda and Melanie were forced to stand on the porch in the chilling autumn wind, clutching two small duffel bags containing only their basic wardrobe, while the tow truck hooked up Melanie’s leased convertible and hauled it down the driveway.
When the iron gates of Hayes Manor swung shut behind them, locking them out of the grounds forever, a profound, serene silence settled over the property.
May you like
Wyatt turned to me, wrapping his strong arms gently around my waist, careful not to jostle my injured shoulder. ""It's yours, Sadie. It was always yours.""
I looked up at the stone façade of the mansion, feeling Grandfather Arthur's presence like a warm, protective hand resting upon my shoulder. ""No, Wyatt. It's ours.""
