Chapter 3 - THE AMBUSH
When Sarah returned home that afternoon, she found a black luxury SUV parked in her driveway. Her blood ran cold. Evelyn was sitting in the driver's seat, typing on her phone.
Sarah parked her sedan, got out, and stood between Evelyn’s vehicle and the front porch. She had deliberately left Chloe and Lily at her trusted friend’s house for safety.
Evelyn stepped out of her SUV, wearing dark sunglasses and a tailored cream coat, looking as composed and elegant as if nothing had happened on Tuesday. She held a thick Manila envelope in her hand.
"Sarah," Evelyn said, her tone smooth and devoid of remorse. "I see you're home. Good. We need to sign some final paperwork regarding the girls' inheritance."
"Get off my property, Evelyn," Sarah said, her voice dripping with venom.
Evelyn’s smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating sneer. She pulled a piece of paper from the envelope. "You always were emotional and ungrateful, Sarah. You think you own this house? Mark was my son-in-law, and he promised me security in my old age. You don't have the discipline to raise these girls or manage this estate."
Evelyn held up the official Notice of Ownership Transfer. "I registered the quitclaim deed with the county clerk this morning. As of 9:00 AM today, this house belongs to the Evelyn Harrison Living Trust. You have fourteen days to vacate the premises, or I will have the sheriff remove you."
Sarah didn't flinch. She stepped forward, standing inches from her mother's face.
"You're too late, Evelyn," Sarah said softly.
Evelyn frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"My attorney, Marcus Vance, filed an emergency court injunction and a Lis Pendens on the property title at 8:15 AM today—forty-five minutes before you arrived at the clerk's office. The title is frozen under suspicion of felony fraud."
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Evelyn’s face drained of color. The paper in her manicured hand began to tremble slightly. "You... you can't do that!"
"And there's more," Sarah continued, her eyes burning with righteous anger. "I took Chloe to the hospital this morning. Her hand is officially documented as a burn injury caused by forced labor. Child Protective Services and the local police department have already opened an investigation into you for child endangerment and abuse."
