Chapter 7 - The Legal Hammer: Attorney Inez Strikes Back
Two uniformed Chatham County Sheriff’s deputies stepped through the front entrance, their hands resting comfortably near their utility belts. Leading them was Deputy Inspector Thomas, a veteran officer who had known Manuel Serrano for over twenty-five years.
"Evening, Manuel," Inspector Thomas said, nodding respectfully to the patriarch before turning his sharp gaze toward Derek and Veronica. "We received the emergency injunction issued by Judge Harrison’s chambers tonight."
Veronica stood up abruptly, attempting to summon her former haughty demeanor. "Officer, this is a civil misunderstanding between family members! We are the primary caretakers of this property!"
"Ma'am," Inspector Thomas replied in a tone that brooked no argument. "I have an emergency court order signed by the senior magistrate declaring this property an active crime scene regarding elder financial abuse and document forgery. Furthermore, I have an immediate vacate order for Derek Serrano and Veronica Caldwell."
Derek looked at his father, his eyes pleading. "Dad... please. Don't let them do this to us. Where are we supposed to go? We don't have anywhere to sleep!"
Manuel looked at his youngest son. For months, Manuel had endured the cold dampness of the tool shed, the humiliation of eating scraps, and the heartbreak of watching his life’s work being stolen. But there was no malice in Manuel’s eyes—only a profound, unshakeable sorrow.
"Derek," Manuel said softly, his voice echoing with the finality of an ancient oak falling in a quiet forest. "For four months, Carmen and I slept on rusted iron cots with a single wool blanket between us while you slept in our master bedroom. You never once asked where we were supposed to go."
Carmen turned her face into Manuel’s shoulder, unable to look at her younger son any longer.
"You have twenty minutes to gather your personal clothing, Mr. Serrano," Inspector Thomas stated, stepping between Derek and his parents. "Any attempt to remove furniture, art, jewelry, or electronics from this house will result in immediate arrest for grand larceny. Everything inside this residence is subject to a forensic asset freeze."
Veronica let out a choked scream of pure rage, rushing toward the stairs to grab whatever she could carry. Two female deputies followed closely behind her to ensure she didn't touch the historic family heirlooms.
Derek stood frozen in the middle of the hallway. He looked down at his designer shoes, then at Alvin, who stood like an unyielding granite wall.
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"Alvin... you’re my brother," Derek whispered. "How could you do this to me?"
"I didn't do this to you, Derek," Alvin replied without a shred of pity. "You did this to yourself the moment you made our mother cry for a plate of food in her own home."
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