Chapter 13 - The New Owners
Grant’s heart lurched into his throat. He sprinted through the hallway into the living room, his wingtip shoes echoing hollowly in the vast, empty space.
The parlor was vacant. The curtains were gone.
He dashed into the dining room.
There, sitting alone in the center of the bare floor, was the dining table. Resting upon its polished surface lay the white envelope and the defaced Willow Terrace brochure.
Grant snatched the envelope, tearing it open with trembling fingers.
His eyes scanned the certified legal document inside:
*WARRANTY DEED OF SALE.*
*GRANTOR: Evelyn Marie Vance-Sterling.*
*GRANTEE: Dr. David Carter and Sarah Carter.*
*CONSIDERATION: $780,000.00 CASH.*
*RECORDED: County Registrar of Deeds, Document #44910.*
“No…” Grant choked out, his knees buckling beneath him. “No, no, no! This isn't possible!”
Just then, heavy footsteps sounded at the front entrance.
Grant spun around, clutching the papers, expecting to see me.
Instead, standing in the foyer was a tall, athletic man in his early forties wearing scrubs, accompanied by an elegant woman holding a toddler, and three energetic young children who immediately began running through the empty hallway shouting, “Look at the stairs! Look at the big fireplace!”
It was Dr. David Carter.
Dr. Carter stopped, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Grant, Paige, and the two uniform-clad transport orderlies standing inside his new home.
“Can I help you?” Dr. Carter asked, his voice firm and authoritative. “And who authorized you to kick my kitchen door open?”
“Who the hell are you?” Grant demanded, his voice cracking with hysteria. “This is my mother’s house! I have power of attorney over this estate!”
Dr. Carter’s expression hardened. He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out his phone, and dialed a number on speakerphone.
May you like
“Officer Miller? Yes, this is Dr. Carter at 414 Elm Street. I just arrived at my new property to take possession, and there are five intruders inside who broke my side entrance door. Please send a squad car immediately.”
***
