Chapter 5 - Eviction from a Stolen Kingdom
By noon the following day, the autumn sun cast long, dramatic shadows across the polished marble lobby of the Edgewater building.
Derek stood near the elevators, holding two cardboard boxes containing his clothes and his insurance files—everything he had left after the audit.
The luxury blue dinnerware he had claimed belonged to "both of them" was gone, packed safely inside Skylar's moving trucks hours ago.
The concierge didn't offer to help him carry the boxes; he stood behind the desk with a neutral, professional distance that made Derek’s blood boil.
"Mr. Vance," the concierge said, sliding a final keycard restriction notice across the counter.
"Your access code to the underground parking structure has been deactivated at the request of the primary property owner."
Derek walked out into the bright Miami heat, his expensive leather shoes clicking softly against the concrete as he approached his sedan.
A commercial tow truck was already parked right behind his vehicle, its orange safety lights flashing rhythmically against the glass windows of the lobby.
"Hey! Drop that vehicle!" Derek shouted, running forward, dropping his boxes into the dirt.
"The registration is under my name!"
"The registration is tied to a corporate lease funded by Northstar Logistics, sir," the driver replied coldly, snapping a metal chain onto the front axle.
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"The primary guarantor cancelled the payment line at midnight. We have orders to return the asset to the regional center immediately."
Derek stood on the sidewalk, watching his image of success get dragged down the street in front of the neighbors who used to call him the perfect son.
