Chapter 2 - THE MORNING NOTICE
Sunlight poured through the Palladian windows of the breakfast room, glinting off the heavy silver coffee service that Evelyn loved to showcase. She sat at the head of the mahogany table—my mahogany table—sipping Earl Grey tea while wearing a crisp linen blazer.
Daniel was scrolling through stock reports on his tablet, half-heartedly buttering a croissant.
"Lena," Evelyn sighed, not looking up as I walked in with my hand heavily bandaged in white gauze. "I trust you’ve learned your lesson about punctuality. We have guests coming for bridge at two, and the drawing-room curtains need steam-cleaning."
I didn’t answer. I pulled out my chair, sat down, and poured myself a cup of black coffee using my left hand.
Daniel frowned, finally glancing up. "What’s with the bandage? Are you still dramatizing a little spilled broth?"
"It’s second-degree burns, Daniel," I said, my voice completely level. "The urgent care doctor was quite thorough with the incident report."
Evelyn scoffed, setting her teacup down with a sharp clink. "Oh, stop playing the victim. You’ve always been entirely too fragile for this family. Daniel works fifty hours a week managing investments; the least you can do is serve a hot meal on time."
Before Daniel could reply, the heavy front doorbell chimed. Three distinct, echoing rings.
Evelyn frowned, checking her gold watch. "Who on earth could that be? The housekeeper isn't scheduled until nine."
"I'll get it," I said softly, standing up.
"Sit back down and let the help get it—oh, right, you fired her," Evelyn muttered under her breath.
I walked down the grand marble hallway and pulled open the heavy oak double doors. Standing on the porch was a tall, sharp-featured man in a tailored charcoal suit, holding a sleek leather briefcase. Behind him stood two uniformed county sheriff deputies.
"Are you Elena Vance-Montgomery?" the man asked briskly, his voice carrying clearly into the foyer.
"I am," I replied.
"I am Marcus Vance, court-appointed process server and officer of the court. I have legal documents for Evelyn Montgomery and Daniel Montgomery regarding immediate property eviction, asset forfeiture, and a restraining order on unauthorized premises occupancy."
Evelyn appeared behind me in the hallway, her face flushing a mottled red. "What is the meaning of this insolence? Daniel! Get out here!"
Daniel hurried down the stairs, his tablet slipping slightly in his grip. "What’s going on? Who are you?"
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Marcus didn’t blink. He pulled three thick manila envelopes from his briefcase. "You are hereby served. This property, located at 884 Ridgecrest Estates, is the sole, exclusive private inheritance of Elena Vance. All residency rights for Evelyn Montgomery are hereby revoked effective immediately, and Daniel Montgomery is named as respondent in pending divorce and asset recovery proceedings."
Silence descended on the foyer, heavy and absolute.
