Chapter 3 - THE COLLAPSE OF THE HOUSE OF CARDS
The first sign of the end came at 8:00 AM the following morning. Rodrigo was woken up not by his usual alarm, but by the frantic ringing of his cell phone. It was his Chief Financial Officer, sounding like he was on the verge of a heart attack.
"Rodrigo, we have a massive problem," the CFO stuttered. "The payroll accounts are empty. Not just low—empty. The funds were pulled by the primary investor's holding group at midnight. The bank says the accounts are under a legal hold. We can't pay the foremen, we can't pay the suppliers... work has stopped at every site in the city."
Rodrigo sat up, his head spinning from the scotch. "That’s impossible. My family owns that company. There is no silent partner. Just find the money!"
But as he hung up, a second call came in. Then a third. His mother’s voice shrieked from downstairs. He ran to the balcony and looked down into the foyer. Evelyn was standing by the front door, surrounded by several men in dark suits. Two sheriff’s deputies stood behind them.
"What is going on?" Rodrigo shouted, rushing down the stairs.
"Mr. Sanders?" one of the men asked, holding up a badge. "I’m an agent representing North Star Holdings. We are here to take possession of the property. You and your guests have two hours to vacate the premises."
"This is my house!" Rodrigo screamed, his face turning a deep shade of purple. "I am a Sanders! My grandfather built this legacy!"
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The man calmly handed him a folder. "Actually, sir, the deed shows this property was purchased four years ago by North Star Holdings. Your name is not on the title. Neither is your mother's. You have been living here under a discretionary lease agreement that was terminated at midnight for breach of conduct."
As Rodrigo flipped through the papers, his eyes landed on the signature of the CEO of North Star Holdings. It wasn't a name he recognized, but the initials at the bottom of the private addendum were unmistakable: E.V. Elena Vance. My maiden name.
