Chapter 6 - The Escalation
The sound of shattering glass exploded through the living room. Sophie screamed from the kitchen, dropping a tray of glasses she was carrying.
Arthur instantly pulled Grandma Eleanor behind him, while I rushed to the front window. A large red brick lay on the hardwood floor amidst sharp shards of glass. Wrapped around the brick with a thick rubber band was a piece of paper.
I carefully picked up the note, my hands trembling with rage. Written in crude, black permanent marker were the words:
LEAVE THE VANCE MONEY ALONE, YOU GREEDY BITCH, OR YOUR DAUGHTER PAYS THE PRICE.
"Call the police immediately, Arthur," Eleanor ordered, her voice cold as marble, though her hands clenched tightly into fists. "They have lost their minds."
The local police arrived within fifteen minutes, taking fingerprints from the brick and documenting the damage. While they filed the report, Arthur reviewed the security footage from our newly installed porch camera. The footage showed a masked individual in a dark hoodie throwing the brick before sprinting toward an unmarked silver sedan parked down the street.
"Look at the license plate frame on that sedan," Arthur pointed out, zooming in on the video screen. "It has a custom frame from the country club where Brandon holds his golf membership. They didn't even have the intelligence to use an untraceable vehicle."
An hour later, as the police were finishing their report, my phone rang with an unknown number. I answered it on speakerphone so Arthur could record the call.
"Clara," Vanessa’s voice hissed through the speaker. She sounded intoxicated, her words slightly slurred but dripping with hatred. "Did you enjoy your little gift?"
"Vanessa," I said, keeping my voice steady. "You just threw a brick through my window. Sophie was in the house. You have completely lost your mind."
"I didn't throw anything!" Vanessa laughed maniacally. "Maybe it was just a concerned citizen who hates gold-diggers like you! Listen to me very carefully, sister. You tell Grandma to restore my trust fund, transfer twenty million dollars into my private account, and sign over the Aspen house by Friday, or I will destroy you. I will go on national television and tell everyone what a sick, manipulative thief you are!"
"Vanessa, listen to me," Eleanor took the phone from my hand, her voice booming through the speaker. "This is Eleanor. Every word you have just spoken has been recorded by my attorney. You have committed felony extortion, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy."
There was a sudden, sharp silence on the other end of the line.
"Grandma...?" Vanessa’s voice wavered, a sudden note of panic breaking through her rage. "You... you can't use that against me..."
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"Friday is coming, Vanessa," Eleanor said coldly. "But instead of a check, you will be receiving a visit from the District Attorney. Do not ever call this house again."
Eleanor ended the call, turning to Arthur. "Initiate the full legal countersuit. I want restraining orders filed against Vanessa, Brandon, and their associates by tomorrow morning."
