Chapter 3 - The Unpaid Lease
"Three years ago, the Blackwell Corporation went bankrupt," Abby revealed, her voice echoing clearly over the silent crowd. "To avoid selling this estate to liquidators, Graham searched county records and discovered that the land under this mansion wasn't owned by your family at all."
Vivian’s breath hitched, her pearl necklace rising and falling against her chest in rapid gasps.
"The original fifty-year ground lease expired three years ago," Abby continued. "My father, Thomas Miller, bought that historic land parcel at a county auction for cash."
Gasps rippled through the high-society guests.
"You're lying!" Sloane yelled, her voice cracking with panic. "We own this home! We've always owned it!"
"Your family leased the dirt, Sloane," Abby replied, stepping closer to her mother-in-law. "And for the last thirty-six months, Graham has failed to pay a single dollar in rent. The back taxes and lease penalties exceed four million dollars."
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Graham stepped between his mother and Abby, his eyes wide with desperate rage. "Abby, I warning you! Stop talking right now!"
👉 How had Graham planned to steal the land deed from Abby during the gala?
