Chapter 7 - The Gavel Falls
The atmosphere in the cathedral shifted from shock to collective condemnation. The wealthy socialites who had laughed at Elara’s entrance now avoided eye contact, frantically whispering to their spouses about how quickly they needed to distance themselves from the disgraced Sterling household.
Lady Agatha raised her silver cane, pointing it shakily at Commander Vance. "You cannot do this! We are the Sterlings! We built this city! The courts will tie this up for decades!"
"There will be no court battles, Lady Agatha," Vance replied calmly, pulling a second set of documents from his leather case. "The absolute decree signed by Arthur Sterling includes an immediate forfeiture clause. The moment fraud or forced relinquishment is legally proven within the cathedral walls during a binding ceremony, ownership reverts instantly to the true bloodline."
Vance turned back to Elara, bowing his head deeply. "The estate, the accounts, the shipping fleets, and this cathedral are under your complete jurisdiction, Your Ladyship. Federal marshals are already securing the corporate headquarters."
Elara took a deep breath, feeling the crushing weight of the past lift entirely from her shoulders. She looked at Lady Agatha, who looked as though she had aged twenty years in a matter of minutes. The matriarch who had ruled with an iron fist for decades was now nothing more than an aging woman trapped in the ruins of her own deceit.
"You may clear the church, Commander," Elara instructed quietly, her voice carrying the absolute authority of a true leader.
"At once, Your Ladyship," Vance snapped a salute.
He motioned to the two security guards, who immediately stepped forward and grabbed Julian by the arms, hauling him up from the marble floor despite his frantic, pathetic protests. Julian kicked and shouted, but his voice was completely drowned out by the heavy, echoing thud of his removal down the grand aisle.
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Lady Agatha turned away, leaning heavily on her cane, and limped slowly toward the side vestry doors, utterly abandoned by the sycophants who had once fought just to catch her eye.
Within moments, the grand cathedral emptied out. The high-society guests scrambled for the exits like rats fleeing a sinking ship, desperate to escape the fallout of the biggest corporate collapse in the city's history.
