Chapter 4 - The Eviction At Sunset
By five o'clock that evening, Daniel and Lauren were toasting each other with champagne in the living room of the lakefront condo.
Lauren had already kicked off her shoes, draping her cashmere wrap over Evelyn’s custom-upholstered armchair.
"We need to paint this whole room," Lauren said, examining the neutral walls with disgust.
"Everything Evelyn picked out is so dull and suburban. We should bring in an Italian designer from SoHo."
Daniel smiled, pouring himself a second glass from the vintage wine rack Evelyn had curated for ten years.
"Whatever you want, baby. The court approved the decree. That girl walked out with five thousand dollars in personal effects and nothing else."
Before Lauren could answer, the front double doors rattled violently as a heavy master key turned in the deadbolt.
Daniel set his glass down with a frown, marching into the foyer with irritation burning across his face.
"Who the hell is unlocking my door?"
The doors swung wide open, revealing four armed officers from the Cook County Sheriff's Department.
Behind them stood Arthur Sterling and two men in black jumpsuits carrying industrial lock-replacement cases.
"Daniel Mercer?" the lead deputy asked, holding up an official court writ stamped with the state supreme court seal.
"Yes, what is the meaning of this? I have a divorce decree giving me sole possession of this unit!"
"This unit belongs to the Whitmore Heritage Corporation, Mr. Mercer," Arthur Sterling stepped forward, his voice dripping with icy amusement.
"And as of four o'clock today, the beneficial owner has exercised the default eviction covenant."
Lauren stepped into the hallway, clutching her champagne flute against her silk blouse.
"Excuse me? You can't just barge into a private residence! Daniel’s family built this building!"
"Daniel’s family leased the air rights from Evelyn Whitmore’s family trust," Arthur replied, handing a three-page notice to the deputy.
"The lease was terminated ninety minutes ago due to non-payment of ground rents dating back to 2019."
"That's a lie!" Daniel shouted, his face turning an ugly shade of crimson.
"My father handled all the ground disbursements through the holding company!"
"Your father diverted those funds into your mistress's offshore allowance accounts," Arthur said, his eyes flicking briefly toward Lauren.
"You have fifteen minutes to collect your driver's licenses, wallets, and the clothes on your backs. Everything else inside this residence remains in escrow."
"Fifteen minutes?!" Lauren shrieked, dropping her glass onto the hardwood floor, where it shattered into dozens of jagged pieces.
"My jewelry is in the master bedroom! My handbags!"
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"Those items were purchased using corporate funds currently under federal subpoena, Miss Shaw," Arthur said smoothly, checking his gold pocket watch.
"I suggest you hurry. In fourteen minutes, the deputies will physically escort you down the service elevator."
