Chapter 1 – The House Changes Owners
Chapter 1 – The House Changes Owners
Carmela's face drains of color as she rushes toward the massive front door.
She grabs the polished brass handle and twists it with all her strength.
Nothing.
She tries again.
Another loud electronic buzz echoes through the mansion.
ACCESS DENIED.
"What did you do?" Carmela screams, pounding on the door.
Svetlana slips her phone into her pocket with unsettling composure.
"I didn't lock you in," she says evenly.
"I simply removed your authorization."
Her husband stares at her in disbelief.
"Svetlana... that's impossible."
She slowly turns toward him.
"Not when you're the legal owner of the property's security system."
Carmela laughs nervously.
"This is my son's house!"
Svetlana calmly pulls a thick folder from her designer handbag and lays it on the marble entry table.
"It was."
She opens it.
Every document bears official seals.
Every signature is notarized.
"The mortgage was refinanced six months ago."
"The title was transferred after your son voluntarily signed the ownership agreement."
The husband lowers his head.
"I... I thought it was just paperwork for the business."
Svetlana quietly replies,
May you like
"It was paperwork."
"You just never bothered to read it."
