The Real Owner
Chapter 04 - The Real Owner
The gathered high-society guests lowered their smartphones in absolute shock, stunned into silence as the doors of all four SUVs swung open in perfect unison.
Eight muscular security officers dressed in dark tactical attire stepped out first, establishing a perimeter around the pool. Following right behind them were three senior corporate attorneys holding heavy leather briefcases, accompanied by the executive board of Vance International—the multi-billion-dollar global conglomerate that owned the villa, the surrounding private mountain, and half of the commercial real estate across the state.
The lead corporate attorney, a stern, grey-haired man named Sterling, marched straight past the wealthy investors and local socialites, stopping exactly three feet in front of the soaked, dripping David. Sterling bowed his head respectfully.
"Mr. Vance," Sterling said clearly, his voice echoing across the terrace. "The entire perimeter is locked down. The Chief of Police is entering the gate now."
A collective, gasp swept through the crowd like a wildfire.
Vance.
The man standing before them wasn't an accountant. He was David Vance—the elusive, ultra-wealthy founder and majority owner of Vance International, a man who kept his family's private life so strictly guarded that even high-level business partners had never seen his face. The luxury villa they were standing in wasn't a rented venue for the gala; it was David's private family estate.
Evelyn’s knees buckled violently. She scrambled backward, her manicured nails catching the edge of a glass cocktail table to keep from collapsing onto the floor. Horror washed over her in waves. She had spent weeks plotting against Sarah, genuinely believing she was dealing with a helpless, middle-class family who lacked the financial power or legal connections to retaliate.
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"Mr... Mr. Vance..." Evelyn stammered, her voice cracking into pitiful fragments as sweat broke out across her forehead. "I... I had no idea... please, this is all just a terrible misunderstanding—"
"Save your breath," David said coldly, taking a large, warm towel offered by his personal butler and wrapping it carefully around Sarah’s shivering shoulders.
