Chapter 4 - The Deed of Truth
Graham laughed, though his voice had gone up an octave. "Violation of conduct? What are you talking about? We’re having a family dinner! Who is the owner? Call him right now. I know the board members of the Highland Park Association. I’ll have your job by morning."
Daniel didn't flinch. He walked to the head of the table, past Gloria, and placed a single document in front of Graham.
"The owner of this property, and the sole shareholder of the Vance Land Trust, is Jocelyn Vance," Daniel said clearly.
The silence that followed was heavy, suffocating, and absolute.
Graham stared at the paper. His eyes scanned the signature line—my signature, written in the bold, precise script I had used for ten years on our tax returns.
"This... this is a mistake," Graham whispered, his face turning pale. "Jocelyn, what is this? Did you forge this? How did you get your name on this deed?"
"I didn't forge it, Graham," I said, stepping up to him. "I bought this house three years ago. I bought the office building your firm leases. I bought the country club membership you use to pretend you're a self-made man. Every single dollar you have spent in the last seven years came from my accounts."
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Gloria stood up, her fingers clawing at the edge of the table. "Graham! Tell me this isn't true! Tell me this ordinary girl isn't the one keeping us in this house!"
"She's not just keeping you in this house, Mrs. Ralston," Daniel added, his tone entirely professional but dripping with quiet satisfaction. "She’s also the primary creditor for your personal mortgage in Dallas. Which, as of five minutes ago, has been initiated for foreclosure due to three consecutive missed payments."
