Chapter 6 - The Parasites’ Panic
While Christopher was begging for mercy at the ruined headquarters of Apex, his mother and sister were experiencing their own reckoning at the Vance family estate in Edina.
Gertrude Vance sat in her opulent living room, frantically dialing the numbers of every high-society friend, bank manager, and country club board member she knew.
Every single call went straight to voicemail.
The news of the Vantage lawsuit had spread through Minneapolis high society like a plague. The women who had fawned over Gertrude at charity galas just three days ago were suddenly completely unreachable.
"Audrey!" Gertrude yelled, her voice shrill with panic. "Try calling the manager at First National again! Why aren't our personal credit cards working?!"
Audrey rushed into the living room, holding her phone, her eyes wide with terror. "Mom, my cards were declined at the boutique this morning! When I logged into my bank app, my entire account balance says zero! The bank said there’s a temporary judicial attachment on all assets connected to Christopher’s corporate guarantees!"
"Zero?!" Gertrude screamed, standing up so fast her pearls rattled. "How can it be zero?! That is my personal money! Christopher gave me that allowance!"
"It was company money, Mom!" Audrey sobbed, collapsing onto the sofa. "The lawyers said Christopher was using corporate funds from Apex to pay for your house, your car leases, my allowance, and even our country club memberships! Since Vantage executed a total asset recovery order on Apex, everything tied to Christopher’s finances has been frozen!"
Before Gertrude could scream, a heavy knock echoed at the front door.
Gertrude smoothed down her skirt, trying to compose herself, hoping it was Christopher returning with good news. "See? It’s just a banking error. Christopher is fixing it."
She marched to the door and pulled it open.
Standing on the porch were two uniformed sheriffs alongside a representative from the Hennepin County civil court, holding a thick stack of legal notices.
"Gertrude Vance?" the official asked.
"Yes, I am Mrs. Vance," Gertrude said, puffing out her chest arrogantly. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?"
"Ma'am, we are serving you with an emergency Notice of Eviction and Asset Seizure," the official declared, handing her the papers. "This property, as well as the three vehicles registered in the driveway, were purchased using embezzled corporate capital from Apex North America, which is now under receivership by Vantage Investment Group."
Gertrude stared at the legal notice, her hand trembling violently. "Eviction?! This is my home! My son bought this for me!"
"Your son used collateral owned by Vantage Investment Group," the official replied bluntly. "You have twenty-four hours to vacate the premises with your personal clothing. All luxury goods, jewelry, art, and vehicles purchased with Apex funds over the last five years are subject to immediate repossession."
"You can't do this!" Audrey screamed, running to the door. "My sister-in-law is behind this! Gwen is doing this out of spite! She's a monster!"
The official looked at Audrey with complete indifference. "The court order is signed by a federal judge, ma'am. If you are not off the property by 10:00 AM tomorrow, you will be arrested for trespassing and contempt of court."
The official and the sheriffs turned and walked down the driveway, leaving Gertrude and Audrey standing on the porch, surrounded by the cold Minneapolis wind.
Gertrude’s arrogant posture completely shattered. She fell back against the doorframe, clutching her chest, weeping hysterically.
"My house... my cars... my life..." Gertrude wailed. "How could Gwen do this to us?!"
"Because you treated her like trash, Mom!" Audrey screamed back, her own fear turning into intense resentment toward her mother. "You told her she wasn't on our level! You told her she was a nobody! And now she's taking everything we have!"
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For seven years, Gertrude and Audrey had lived like royalty off the sweat of a company quietly sustained by my family's hidden wealth. They had looked down on me, insulted my upbringing, and treated my daughter like an inconvenience.
Now, they were about to discover what it felt like to have nothing at all.
