Chapter 7 - Evelyn’s Bitter Awakening
While Vance was being led out of corporate headquarters in handcuffs, Evelyn Mercer was leisurely browsing diamond tennis bracelets at a high-end boutique in downtown Seattle. She was on speakerphone with her sister, bragging loudly about Vance’s impending promotion and how she would finally convince him to move her into a luxury penthouse overlooking the Puget Sound.
""The girl simply doesn't have the breeding to keep up with Vance,"" Evelyn scoffed to her sister, examining a five-carat stone under the glass lamp. ""Once this baby is born, I’ll hire a full-time nanny so Vance doesn't have to look at her frumpy face every day. Honestly, she should be grateful we let her keep our family name.""
She handed her black titanium credit card to the store clerk with an imperious flick of her wrist. ""Wrap the bracelet. And charge it to this card.""
The young sales associate swiped the card through the terminal. A loud, sharp beep echoed through the quiet boutique.
""I'm sorry, ma'am,"" the clerk said politely, trying again. ""The transaction was declined.""
Evelyn scoffed loudly, crossing her arms. ""Preposterous! Run it again! My son is the Vice President of Sterling Global! You clearly don't know how to operate your machine.""
""Ma'am, it says 'Account Terminated by Primary Cardholder.' And there is an urgent note here."" The clerk looked up, her expression turning wary. ""Two officers are waiting outside the door to speak with you.""
Evelyn spun around, her heart jumping into her throat. Through the boutique's glass facade, two uniformed Seattle police officers stood alongside a stern woman holding a clipboard and an eviction folder.
""Mrs. Evelyn Mercer?"" the female officer asked, stepping into the boutique. ""We have a court order signed two hours ago by the King County Superior Court. The residence you currently occupy on Mercer Island is registered under a corporate subsidiary of Sterling Holdings. Your lease has been revoked immediately for breach of terms. You have two hours to vacate the premises with your personal clothing only.""
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""What?!"" Evelyn shrieked, her voice cracking into a high-pitched wail. ""This is outrageous! Vance! Where is Vance?! I demand to speak to my son!""
""Your son is currently in holding at the federal detention center,"" the officer replied coldly, unclipping a pair of handcuffs. ""And if you do not step out of this store immediately, you will be joining him for trespassing.""
