Chapter 1 - The Blackout
I stared at the dark screen of my phone as the digital hospital clock struck midnight.
In a matter of seconds, my entire family had been financially severed from my life.
The silence in my recovery room was suddenly broken by the relentless, violent vibrating of my phone on the bedside table.
The caller ID flashed my mother’s name over and over again.
I turned the device facedown and closed my eyes against the harsh fluorescent lights.
My pelvis throbbed with a sickening pain that reminded me of the crushing metal of my ruined car.
A soft knock came from the door before my trusted attorney, Daniel Cho, stepped into the room.
He looked exhausted, his tie loosened and a thick leather folder tucked under his arm.
"The automated transfers have all been officially canceled," he said quietly.
"Your parents' credit cards declined at the country club bar exactly five minutes ago."
I felt a small, bitter sense of satisfaction wash over my broken body.
"Did you serve the eviction notice for the holding company property?" I asked him.
Daniel nodded slowly, pulling a stack of financial documents from his folder.
"The legal notice was taped to their front door, giving them thirty days to vacate the premises."
I looked through the glass window into the nursery wing where my twins were safely sleeping.
They were my only priority now, and I would protect my wealth to ensure their future.
Daniel pulled a chair up to my bed and hesitated before handing me a highlighted bank statement.
"I initiated a deep forensic audit of your sister's consulting fees just like you asked."
My heart pounded heavily against my fractured ribs.
"Did Claire waste all the money on her failed boutique again?"
Daniel shook his head and pointed to a series of massive wire transfers.
"Your sister never opened a boutique."
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"She has been funneling fifty thousand dollars a month into an offshore shell company."
"And the registered owner of that shell company is the man who was driving the truck that hit you."
