Marin: Mom, take Leo and sit inside the diner across the street. I bought you a room at the hotel downtown for the night.
Elena: Marin, please be careful. Russell had two heavy security guards standing at the front door when they threw our clothes into the yard.
Marin: He hired guards with my money, Mom. Don't worry. They won't be taking orders from him much longer.
Arthur: He took your grandfather's gold watch from my nightstand, Marin. He said old people don't need valuables where we were going.
Marin: He stole from you? He took my grandfather's watch?
Arthur: He laughed right in my face while he took it off my wrist, Marin.
Marin closed her eyes for three seconds, letting her anger settle into ice-cold determination.
Marin: Go to the diner, Dad. Order whatever you want. I'm going home to reclaim what is ours.
Marin grabbed her suitcase and marched three blocks down the shaded residential avenue toward the gates of her family estate. The large iron gates were swinging open, and a sleek sports car was parked in the circular driveway. As she approached the front porch, two burly men in black polo shirts stepped into her path.
Guard 1: Private property, ma'am. You need to turn around and leave right now.
Marin: Get out of my way before I have you arrested for trespassing on my land.
Guard 2: Mr. Russell Vance gave strict orders. No one enters this house without his personal permission.
Marin: Russell Vance is a liar and a thief. I own this entire estate.
The front door swung open with a soft creak. Russell stepped out onto the porch wearing an expensive silk robe, holding a glass of scotch in his hand. A young woman in a designer dress leaned against his shoulder, giggling into his ear.
Russell: Well, well. Look who decided to come back from her business trip early. You're ruining my welcome party, Marin.
Marin: Russell! What did you do to my parents?!
Russell: I cleared out the dead weight. This house was getting far too crowded with old people and little kids.
Tiffany: Is this the ex-wife, Russell? She looks so tired and messy.
Marin: Shut your mouth, Tiffany! Russell, you threw an elderly couple and a seven-year-old child onto the sidewalk in ninety-degree heat!
Russell: I did what was necessary for my comfort. Besides, this house belongs to me now.
Marin: You forged my signature on a property transfer deed!
Russell: Try proving that in court, Marin. My lawyers are the best in the city, and they've already filed the deed with the county clerk.
Marin: You think a fake signature is going to protect you from what's coming?
Russell: I don't think, Marin. I know. Now take your dusty suitcase and go join your parents at the bus stop before I have my guards drag you off the lawn.
Marin pulled out her phone and held it up toward Russell's face, her finger resting on the screen.
Marin: You have five minutes to give back my father's watch and pack your bags, Russell.
Russell: Or what? You'll cry to the police? The sheriff already verified my papers this morning, darling.
Marin: The sheriff verified a forgery. My corporate attorneys just filed an emergency federal injunction against you two minutes ago.
Russell laughed aloud, taking a sip from his glass while Tiffany snickered beside him.
Russell: Federal injunction? You're a low-level accountant, Marin. You can't afford a real lawyer!
Marin: You really never looked at my maiden name, did you, Russell?
Russell paused, his glass stopping halfway to his lips as his brow furrowed in confusion.
Russell: What are you talking about?
Marin: My maiden name is Sterling. As in Sterling Global Logistics. The company that owns this entire development, the bank holding your loans, and the security firm standing right next to you.