Chapter 5 - The Cartel Debt
The word 'cartel' echoed in my ears, making the cold morning air feel suddenly suffocating.
"Are you absolutely sure about this, Jennifer?" I asked, my voice trembling for the first time.
"The private equity firm in Miami is a known money-laundering front for a South American syndicate," Jennifer explained rapidly.
"The FBI has been investigating them for years, but they always manage to hide their tracks."
"Brent has completely lost his mind, Tessa."
"If he defaults on this fraudulent loan, they will not just file a civil lawsuit."
"They will come to that house looking to collect their money in blood."
I looked up at the massive, beautiful mansion I had poured my entire soul into building.
Karen was standing in the large bay window of the living room, smugly drinking a cup of my expensive coffee.
She had absolutely no idea that she was currently squatting in a massive, deadly target.
"The loan officially clears in four hours," Jennifer warned through the phone.
"Once the money hits Brent's account, the cartel holds a legal lien against your address."
I closed my eyes, taking a deep, shuddering breath as I processed the imminent danger.
I had to get Karen out of that house immediately, not just to sell it, but to save her ignorant life.
"I need to speak to the cash buyer directly," I told Jennifer.
"I don't care if it is six in the morning, patch me through to his corporate team."
Jennifer quickly conferenced the call, connecting me to the lead developer of the real estate firm.
"Mr. Sterling, this is Tessa," I said, putting on my most ruthless business voice.
"I am ready to sign the property over to you right this second, but I need a massive favor."
"I need your demolition crew at my property in exactly two hours."
Mr. Sterling sounded highly confused on the other end of the line.
"Tessa, we cannot legally demolish a house if there is a squatter claiming residency inside," he argued.
"I am well aware of the law," I replied coldly.
"But you can legally erect a temporary construction fence around a property you are preparing to survey."
"I want heavy machinery parked in my driveway, and I want the water and power completely shut off from the main street valves."
Mr. Sterling chuckled softly, clearly impressed by my aggressive tactics.
"I can have an excavation crew there in sixty minutes, but you hold all the liability," he agreed.
I hung up the phone and turned to Molly, who was rocking Ivy in the backseat.
"Drive to the city water department," I instructed my sister.
"I am the only authorized name on the utility accounts."
"We are shutting off the life support to my own house."
Within an hour, the local utility companies had completely severed the water and electricity to the mansion.
Molly and I parked down the street, watching the chaotic scene unfold.
Three massive, yellow bulldozers rolled down the quiet, wealthy street, their engines roaring aggressively.
A large construction crew began rapidly erecting tall, chain-link fencing around the entire perimeter of the property.
Karen rushed out onto the front porch, her hair wild and her face pale with utter panic.
She screamed at the construction foreman, waving her fake lease document in the air.
The foreman simply ignored her, continuing to direct the heavy machinery onto the pristine front lawn.
Without running water, electricity, or the ability to park her car, the luxurious mansion instantly became an unlivable prison.
Karen frantically pulled out her cell phone, pacing wildly on the front porch as she dialed a number.
My own phone buzzed perfectly on cue.
It was a text message from Brent.
"What the hell are you doing to the house?" the message read.
"I am flying back early today because I have a massive surprise for you."
"Stop this construction nonsense right now, or you will deeply regret it."
I stared at the threatening message, a cold, calculated smile slowly forming on my lips.
May you like
I typed my reply and hit send.
"There is no house anymore, Brent."
