Chapter 4 - Eviction Notice
By noon the following morning, Darlene was back at the Lake Forest villa, supervising two interior decorators Brynn had summoned to measure the primary bedroom for new furnishings.
"Tear out all of Laurel’s pastel drapes," Darlene ordered, sipping coffee on the velvet chaise lounge. "She had the taste of a church mouse. Brynn wants Italian silk and gold accents. Trent’s promotion will easily cover it."
Brynn was lounging by the infinity pool in Laurel’s designer silk robe, snapping selfies, when the sound of heavy engines shattered the tranquility of the gated driveway.
Three unmarked black SUVs and an armored towing flatbed pulled through the gates, completely disregarding the security protocol. Before Darlene could screech at the intrusion, four uniformed officers and a man in a sharp charcoal suit stepped out.
"What is the meaning of this?" Darlene shrieked, storming down the marble steps. "This is private property! Get these filthy trucks off my son's lawn!"
The man in the charcoal suit did not flinch. He produced a blue-bound folder stamped with the seal of the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.
"Mrs. Darlene Sterling?" the man inquired politely.
"Yes, I am Trent Sterling’s mother, and this house belongs to—"
"This house," the attorney interrupted calmly, "is registered under the Cedarline Sovereign Asset Trust. Mr. Trent Sterling was merely granted conditional residency pending corporate performance metrics. As of six o'clock this morning, his residency agreement has been nullified due to gross contractual violations."
Brynn hurried inside from the patio, clutching the robe around her shoulders. "What are you talking about? Trent bought this house!"
The attorney offered a thin, pitying smile. "Trent Sterling never paid a dime toward the equity of this property. The original deed was purchased outright by Montgomery-Cedarline Holdings six years ago. You have forty-five minutes to gather your personal belongings. Anything left behind will be inventoried and donated."
"This is an outrage!" Darlene screamed, her face contorting with rage. "I am his mother! Laurel put you up to this, didn't she? That little parasite! I will call Trent right now!"
"Please do," the attorney said, stepping aside as four burly movers wearing Cedarline uniforms walked into the foyer carrying industrial packing crates. "Though I doubt Mr. Sterling will be of much assistance. His own morning has been rather... occupied."
Outside, the towing crew was already hitching the luxury SUV Trent had bought for Brynn using company reserves.
"Stop touching that car!" Brynn yelled, sprinting toward the driveway in bare feet. "That's mine! Trent gave it to me!"
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"Registration check indicates the vehicle was purchased with misappropriated funds belonging to Apex Developments," an officer said firmly, blocking her path. "Stand back, ma'am, or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice."
Neighbors peered out from their manicured lawns, watching in utter fascination as the proud, haughty Darlene Sterling was escorted down her own driveway clutching a garbage bag full of clothes, while Brynn stood on the asphalt in a stolen robe, sobbing in sheer humiliation.
