Chapter 7 - The Master of the Estate
Marcus Sterling adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses, looking at Sloan with cool professional disdain.
"By the explicit authority of the late Richard Vance's primary will," Marcus stated, his voice carrying clearly across the quiet patio. "The entire estate—valued at forty-five million dollars—was placed under Catherine Vance's absolute discretion. Harrison was merely a provisional beneficiary subject to his mother's approval."
Harrison fell back into an outdoor chair, burying his face in his trembling hands. The reality hit him like a physical blow: he owned nothing. Every suit, every car, every line of credit had belonged to his mother all along.
"You let us believe... you let us think we were in control..." Harrison choked out, tears finally brimming in his eyes.
"I gave you a year, Harrison," Catherine said softly, her dark blue lace dress catching the warm light as she stood up from her chair. "I gave you twelve months to show me that you had the courage, honor, and respect your father raised you with. I wanted to see if you would stand up for what was right."
She looked down at the ruined cake smashed across the marble floor.
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"And tonight, when your wife shoved my birthday cake off the table, you looked down at your shoes."
👉 How far will Sloan go when she realizes she is about to be cast out with zero money to her name?
