Chapter 6 - The Golden Mask Shatters
Eleanor lunged in front of Derek, shielding her thirty-four-year-old son like a hen protecting an innocent chick.
"It's a misunderstanding! Derek was merely acting as an advance leasing agent for his sister's extra space!"
"I am a senior partner at Vance & Sterling Real Estate Law, Eleanor," I projected, my voice cutting through her desperate lies.
"I do not hire deadbeat catering managers to lease rooms in my family's private residence."
Derek backed toward his minivan, his face pale and glistening with cold perspiration.
"Brenda, get the kids back in the car," Derek whispered, panic finally stripping away his entitled swagger.
"No, Derek, nobody is leaving this driveway," Daniel said, walking down the steps while holding his cell phone to his ear.
"I have Fulton County dispatch on the line, and two patrol units are turning onto our boulevard as we speak."
Brenda turned on Derek with savage fury, slapping his chest with her heavy leather handbag.
"You told me your sister was desperate for company! You told me she begged you to move in because she couldn't afford the property taxes alone!"
"I thought she was still broke!" Derek yelled back, waving his arms hysterically.
"Ten years ago she was living in a ratty studio apartment eating canned soup! How was I supposed to know she married a corporate attorney?"
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"You didn't know because you never cared to ask," I said, looking at him with pity and cold finality.
"You spent ten years celebrating your stolen sixty-four thousand dollars, assuming I would remain in the gutter forever."
