Chapter 6 - The Debt Collector Arrives
The second slide projected onto the wall wasn't a video. It was a list of outstanding loan agreements, complete with Gregory’s forged signatures.
"Judge Richard," I said, turning to the old man. "Did you know that your beloved nephew used your judicial seal on a fake affidavit to secure a $500,000 private loan from Marcus Kane’s illegal lending syndicate?"
Judge Richard jumped to his feet, staring at the screen in horror. "WHAT?! Gregory, is this true?!"
"No! Uncle Richard, listen to me!" Gregory screamed, panic exploding in his chest. "She hacked my computer! She forged those documents!"
Before Gregory could finish his sentence, the heavy front door of the estate burst open.
Three large men dressed in dark leather jackets walked unannounced into the foyer. Leading them was Marcus Kane—a notorious, sharp-featured loan shark known throughout the state for collecting debts through extreme measures.
Evelyn screamed. The dinner guests cowered in their chairs.
"Good evening, everyone," Marcus Kane said smoothly, taking off his leather gloves. "Sorry to crash the dinner party. But Mr. Halston’s phone seemed to be turned off."
Marcus Kane walked straight past the trembling guests, pulled out a chair at the head of the table, and sat down directly opposite Gregory.
"Marcus..." Gregory stammered, his voice shaking violently. "What... what are you doing here? I told you I’d have your money by Friday!"
"You told me you were marrying the Vance heir," Marcus said, leaning back and resting his boots on the table. "You told me her fortune would clear your $500,000 debt with 20% interest by noon today."
Marcus then slowly turned his eyes toward me.
"Mrs. Vance," Marcus said, raising an eyebrow with cold respect. "Your lawyer called my office three hours ago. He informed me that you have zero joint liability for this idiot's debts, and that you've filed a temporary restraining order against him."
"That is correct, Mr. Kane," I said calmly, adjusting my blazer. "Every asset connected to my name is legally shielded. Gregory has no access to my funds, my condo, or my family’s trust. Whatever promises he made to you, he made on empty air."
Marcus let out a deep, gravelly laugh that sent chills down everyone’s spine.
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He turned back to Gregory, his smile vanishing completely. "So... you lied to me, Gregory. You used me to pay off your luxury cars, and you used your uncle’s name to fake collateral."
"No! Marcus, please!" Gregory cried out, dropping to his knees right there in front of his family and guests. "Give me one more week! Just one more week!"
