Chapter 7 - The Master of the House
With Daniel’s arrest, the final remnants of my past were swept away.
William Hart handled the divorce proceedings with ruthless efficiency. Because of Daniel’s criminal charges, his documented history of domestic neglect, and his complete financial ruin, the court granted me full legal and physical custody of Grace, with zero visitation rights for Daniel or his mother.
A month later, the Vance family estate in Greenwich was put up for public auction to satisfy their remaining bank debts.
I attended the auction personally.
The grand living room, where Victoria had once looked down her nose at me and told me I was unworthy of her son, was filled with bidders, liquidators, and curious onlookers. Victoria Vance sat in the front row, looking twenty years older, dressed in a faded coat, her hands shaking as she watched her life's work sold off piece by piece.
When the property title for the house was called, I raised my paddle.
"Five million dollars," I said clearly.
Victoria spun around in her chair, her eyes widening in horror as she saw me standing at the back of the room, dressed in an immaculate white tailored suit.
"Five million bid to the lady in white," the auctioneer called out. "Going once... going twice... Sold!"
I walked down the aisle, stopping right in front of Victoria.
"You... you bought my house?" Victoria whispered, her voice trembling.
"I bought the property, Victoria," I said, looking down at her with calm detachment. "And tomorrow morning, a demolition crew will arrive to tear it down to the foundation. I'm building a pediatric park here, named in honor of Grace."
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Victoria covered her face with her hands and wept bitterly.
I didn't feel a surge of malicious triumph. I simply felt the quiet satisfaction of justice finally served. The house that had served as a prison of humiliation for six years would be turned into a place of laughter and healing for children who actually deserved it.
