Chapter 4 - The Midnight SummonsRichard strode briskly toward the grand entryway, his jaw set in a hard line, while Elena hovered anxiously near the hallway archway. Richard pulled the heavy front door open, expecting to find police officers or process servers. Instead, standing on the porch under the glaring amber porch light was Arthur Vance, a high-priced, shark-like family law attorney known throughout the state for his ruthless litigation tactics.
"Richard Sterling?" Arthur asked smoothly, his expression completely devoid of warmth as he adjusted his tailored charcoal suit.
"What do you want, Arthur?" Richard demanded, blocking the doorway with his broad frame. "It's past midnight. You have no business here."
"On the contrary, Mr. Sterling," Arthur replied calmly, sliding a thick manila envelope across the entryway table. "I represent Mrs. Victoria Sterling. As of tonight, we have filed emergency petitions in the county family court for temporary emergency guardianship of the minor child, Lily Sterling, citing severe domestic endangerment and maternal incapacity."
Elena gasped from the hallway, her hands flying to her mouth. "That's insane! Victoria tried to throw the baby off the balcony!"
Arthur didn't even glance at Elena, keeping his cold, professional eyes locked on Richard. "Allegations without formal substantiation are merely noise, my dear. Furthermore, we have filed injunctions freezing all joint corporate and personal trust accounts managed under the Sterling Family Holdings, effective immediately."
Richard’s blood ran cold, instantly replaced by an incandescent rage that burned hotter than anything he had ever experienced. His mother was weaponizing her immense wealth and legal connections to starve him of resources right when he needed to mount a defense.
"Get off my property before I throw you off myself," Richard growled, his voice dropping an octave as he stepped directly into the lawyer's personal space.
May you like
Arthur raised an eyebrow, stepping backward down the porch steps toward an idling black sedan. "You'll be served formally in court tomorrow morning at nine sharp, Mr. Sterling. I advise you to retain counsel—though given your frozen assets, finding someone to take your case against the Sterling trust will be quite a challenge."
With a sickeningly polite nod, the attorney slid into his car and sped down the driveway, leaving Richard standing in the cold night air. The trap had sprung, and Victoria was tightening the noose around their necks.
