Chapter 5 - The Trap Closes
Ryan’s jaw worked silently as he tried to find words. The confidence that had filled him moments ago evaporated into thin air.
"Federal fraud?" Evelyn gasped, looking from Ryan to Emily. "Ryan, what is she talking about? You said your lawyer cleared the paperwork!"
"He... he did!" Ryan lied, his voice cracking as cold sweat broke out on his forehead. "She's bluffing! This is just military jargon to intimidate us! You can't just claim a luxury house is a military asset!"
"Try me," Emily said quietly.
"Jessica!" Ryan whirled around, seizing his wife by her shoulders. "Tell her! Tell her you gave me permission to file those papers! Tell her we own fifty percent!"
Jessica burst into tears, covering her face with her hands. "I didn't know, Ryan! You told me it was just a tax relief form! You told me Emily signed it before she deployed!"
The room erupted into gasps. The relatives stared at Ryan in horror as the truth unravelled in real-time. He hadn't just managed the house; he had tricked his wife into helping him steal her sister's legal property.
"You lied to me?" Jessica sobbed, stepping back from him. "You lied to my entire family?"
"I did it for us!" Ryan shouted desperately, his cool exterior completely shattered. "Do you think we could ever afford a house like this on my salary? She's away all year! She doesn't even use it!"
"That wasn't your choice to make," Emily said, taking two steps toward him.
Ryan panicked. Reaching down, he grabbed the leather binder from the table, opened the stone fireplace screen, and threw the documents straight into the burning logs.
The paper caught fire instantly, flames devouring the federal seals within seconds.
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Ryan turned around, breathing heavily, a manic smile returning to his face. "Oops. Looks like your evidence just went up in smoke, Colonel. Now it's your word against mine!"
👉 Read Part 6 to see the brilliant surprise Emily prepared outside!
