Chapter 9 - The Final Cut
Before Evelyn could unleash another tirade, the crunch of heavy tires sounded on the gravel driveway behind me.
A sleek black Range Rover pulled up smoothly beside the gate. The tinted window rolled down, revealing Arthur Vance sitting in the driver's seat, his sharp gray eyes assessing the scene with cold amusement. He had driven over from his downtown condo to drop off some paperwork.
Kyle, recognizing the wealth radiating from the vehicle, immediately straightened his jacket and stepped forward. ""Excuse me, sir! Are you Mr. Vance? We’re Jenna’s family. We’re just trying to resolve a serious private family matter—""
Arthur didn't even look at Kyle. He turned his gaze entirely to me. ""Jenna. Are these people trespassing on my property?""
""They are,"" I replied clearly.
Arthur tapped a button on his steering wheel, connecting directly to his private security team. ""Marcus. We have three trespassers blocking the north gate. Have the Mercer Island precinct send a patrol car down immediately to issue formal trespass warnings. License plate Washington, Foxtrot-Seven-Niner-Charlie.""
Kyle’s face drained of all color. ""Wait! Sir, please, there’s no need for police! We're her mother and siblings!""
Arthur slowly turned his head to look at Evelyn, his expression dripping with disdain. ""I don't care if you're the Queen of England. Jenna is the lead architect of this estate and my guest. Anyone who harasses her on my land is an intruder. You have sixty seconds to clear your vehicle from my driveway before the gate cameras record you being escorted off the island in handcuffs.""
Evelyn stood frozen, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. For fifty-eight years, she had manipulated, guilt-tripped, and shouted down everyone in her path. But faced with an actual titan of business who held all the cards, her manufactured authority shattered into dust.
""Jenna..."" Brinn whispered, panic finally creeping into her voice as the wail of a distant siren echoed from the highway exit. ""Tell him to cancel the call!""
I looked at my sister. I looked at my brother, who was already scrambling back toward the driver's seat. And finally, I looked at my mother, whose eyes burned with impotent rage and humiliated greed.
""I told you four weeks ago,"" I said softly through the gate. ""I understand. Now, enjoy your drive back to Portland.""
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I turned my back on them and walked away. Behind me, the roar of Kyle’s engine revved in panic as they threw the car into reverse and sped down the road just as a police cruiser rounded the corner with its lights flashing.
I didn't turn around to watch them leave. I walked up the stone steps, stepped into the warm, cedar-scented hall, and closed the heavy oak door behind me, sealing out the noise of the past forever.
