Chapter 3 - Unmasking the Parasite
Suzanne stepped forward, her cheeks red with fury, trying to use her usual intimidation tactics. “Who do you think you are?! You can’t just throw us out! My brother lives here! This is his home!”
Eleanor Vance pulled a document from her briefcase and held it up with two manicured fingers, not even bothering to look Suzanne in the eye.
“This property was purchased in full by Skylar Bennett two years prior to her marriage to your brother,” Eleanor said, her voice dripping with lethal legal precision. “Your brother’s name appears on neither the deed, the mortgage, nor the property tax records. He is legally considered a guest whose license to occupy has been revoked due to committing an act of felony domestic violence on the premises.”
Eleanor turned her razor-sharp gaze directly onto Suzanne.
“And as for you, Miss Foster,” Eleanor continued, pulling a second thick folder from her bag. “I suggest you leave this apartment immediately and contact a criminal defense attorney.”
Suzanne’s arrogant posture faltered. “What... what are you talking about?”
“For the past thirty-six months, you have accepted over $85,000 in direct wire transfers, credit card charges, and cash gifts originating from accounts belonging exclusively to Skylar Bennett,” Eleanor stated coldly. “Our forensic accountant has already flagged these transactions. My client has filed a formal complaint with the financial fraud unit, alleging extortion, unauthorized card usage, and grand larceny under civil RICO statutes.”
Suzanne turned pale. The confidence that had sustained her parasitic lifestyle vanished in a single breath. “Derek... Derek, tell her you gave me permission!”
“He couldn't give you permission to spend money that didn't belong to him,” Eleanor replied cleanly. “Now, officers, please supervise Mr. Foster while he packs one suitcase of clothing. Everything else in this apartment—the furniture, the art, the electronics—was purchased by my client and remains locked under court injunction.”
Derek stood frozen in the middle of the kitchen he had claimed was his just three hours earlier.
He looked at the officers standing by the door, their hands resting near their holsters. He looked at Eleanor Vance, whose eyes promised total destruction in a courtroom. And he looked at his sister, who was currently hyperventilating as she realized her free ride had ended in a legal nightmare.
Slowly, ignominiously, Derek walked into the master bedroom, pulled a single suitcase from the closet, and began tossing his shirts inside.
As he packed, his eyes caught a small photograph sitting on the nightstand. It was a picture of Skylar taken during their honeymoon in St. Lucia—smiling, bright-eyed, and full of trust.
May you like
He had thought that trust was weakness.
Now, he was learning that when a quiet, patient woman finally reaches her breaking point, her mercy ceases to exist.
