Chapter 5 - The Glass Castle Cracks
A month passed. Baby Leo was finally discharged from the NICU, healthy and thriving. Sarah held him tightly in their new home—a beautiful, sunlit house surrounded by gardens, far away from the oppressive shadow of the Harrison estate.
But peace wouldn't be complete until justice was served.
The preliminary deposition took place in a high-rise conference room downtown. Arthur, Eleanor, and Chloe sat across from Sarah, Mark, and Victoria Vance. It was the first time Sarah had seen her family since the night of the gala.
Eleanor immediately tried to play the victim. "Sarah, please. Look at what you’re doing to your father. He’s an old man. He made a mistake in the heat of the moment. Family is supposed to forgive."
"Family doesn't push an eight-month pregnant woman down stairs and tell her she’s embarrassing them while she bleeds on granite, Eleanor," Sarah said, her voice dropping the titles 'Mother' and 'Father' completely.
Arthur tried to use his old, commanding tone. "Listen to me, girl. You sign the non-disclosure agreement, and I will hand over your full inheritance today. Twenty million dollars. Take it and build your little life with your middle-class husband."
Mark leaned forward, placing a stack of financial documents on the table. "We don't want your blood money, Arthur. And speaking of your assets... they don't exist anymore."
Arthur frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"While you were busy trying to cover up your crimes, Julian Vance bought out your majority shareholders," Victoria Vance explained with a cold, triumphant smile. "As of 9:00 a.m. this morning, Harrison Enterprises has been dissolved. The board has voted to strip you of your CEO title. The mansion is collateral for the bank loans you took out to pay your legal fees. You are bankrupt, Arthur."
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Chloe burst into tears. "No! My trust fund!"
"Your trust fund is gone, Chloe," Sarah said, looking at her sister with pity rather than anger. "You can finally stop faking your tummy-tuck injury. You’re going to need to look for a real job. That is, if you don't end up in a orange jumpsuit."
