Chapter 3 - The Secret Appraisal
I did not waste a single second after hanging up the phone with Arthur.
I drove my car recklessly across the city, breaking multiple speed limits to reach my father's house.
I parked halfway down the street, remaining hidden behind a large oak tree.
A sleek black luxury sedan pulled into the driveway precisely at one o'clock in the afternoon.
A man wearing a sharp business suit stepped out, carrying a digital clipboard and a measuring laser.
This was the corrupt appraiser Frank had hired to evaluate the land for demolition.
I watched as Frank proudly opened the front door and shook the man's hand.
They began walking around the perimeter of the property, pointing at the historic architecture.
I stepped out from behind the tree and marched directly up the driveway.
Frank's fake, charming smile vanished the absolute second he saw me approaching.
He stepped protectively in front of the appraiser and demanded to know what I was doing there.
I completely ignored Frank and extended my hand to the startled businessman.
I introduced myself as Claire Mercer, the sole legal trustee and rightful owner of the property.
The appraiser looked incredibly confused and glanced nervously back at Frank.
Frank began to stammer, claiming that I was just a disgruntled relative having a mental breakdown.
I calmly pulled a certified copy of the family trust document from my leather bag.
I handed it to the appraiser and told him to read the primary beneficiary clause.
The man scanned the legal document, and all the color instantly drained from his face.
He realized he was in the middle of a massive, highly illegal real estate fraud scheme.
He shoved the clipboard into his briefcase and practically ran back to his luxury sedan.
He yelled at Frank that he wanted absolutely nothing to do with this criminal mess.
The black car sped away, leaving Frank standing on the lawn shaking with uncontrollable fury.
He turned toward me, his face turning a dangerous shade of crimson red.
He stepped far too close, invading my personal space in an attempt to intimidate me.
He told me that I had just made the biggest mistake of my entire miserable life.
I stared right back into his angry eyes and told him to pack his bags.
Frank laughed, a dark and incredibly hollow sound that echoed across the quiet neighborhood.
He warned me that I should be much more worried about my own career than his living situation.
I asked him what he meant by that cryptic threat.
He leaned in closely and whispered that nobody trusts a courthouse employee who steals confidential files.
He smiled wickedly and walked back inside the house, locking the shiny new deadbolt behind him.
I stood on the lawn, a sickening knot of pure dread forming tightly in my stomach.
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My phone suddenly buzzed with an urgent text message from my boss at the county courthouse.
The message simply read that I needed to come to the director's office immediately or face termination.
