No time
871 Words
Chapter Four
The knock came just after eight o'clock the next morning.
Nora had barely slept.
She had spent the night reviewing financial reports, hoping she had overlooked something—anything that could save Carter Heights.
There was nothing.
The knock came again.
This time, louder.
She walked downstairs and opened the front door.
Three men in dark suits stood outside.
Behind them was a woman carrying a briefcase.
"Miss Nora Carter?"
"Yes."
The woman handed her a sealed envelope.
"I'm Sarah Collins, representing First National Commercial Bank."
Nora’s heart sank.
She didn't need to open the envelope to know what it contained.
"We're here to conduct a final inspection of the property."
"The auction is still weeks away," Nora said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"It is."
The woman offered an apologetic smile.
"But under the court's order, the bank is now required to document all assets before possession."
The words felt like a knife to her chest.
Before possession.
As if Carter Heights already belonged to someone else.
"I'm afraid you'll have to come back another day."
Sarah hesitated.
"I really don't want to involve the sheriff."
Nora looked past her.
More black SUVs were parked at the curb.
Bank representatives.
Security officers.
Photographers across the street.
They were waiting.
Waiting to capture the moment the Carter family lost everything.
She stepped aside.
"Do what you came to do."
Without another word, they entered.
For the next two hours, Nora watched strangers walk through the building her parents had built.
They photographed every office.
Measured every conference room.
Cataloged paintings, sculptures, and antique furniture.
One of the men placed a numbered sticker on the grand piano in the ballroom.
Her mother's piano.
Victoria Carter had played it every Christmas Eve.
Nora’s hands curled into fists.
"Please..."
Her voice was barely beyond a whisper.
"Don't put the sticker there."
The man turned to her and said,
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm just following procedure."
She slowly removed the sticker herself.
Then carefully placed it on the floor.
No one stopped her.
Later that afternoon...
Noah found her sitting alone in the ballroom.
The sunlight poured through the stained-glass windows, painting the marble floor in brilliant shades of blue and gold.
"You have not eaten?"
"I'm not hungry."
He sat beside her.
"I saw them."
She remained silent.
"They were talking outside."
He swallowed.
"They said we're going to lose the building."
Nora closed her eyes.
"I'm trying to stop it."
"I know."
He reached into his backpack and pulled out a small envelope.
"I've been saving this."
She frowned.
Inside were several hundred-dollar bills.
"My scholarship money," Noah said quietly.
"It's not much..."
"...but maybe it can help."
Nora stared at the money.
Then at her little brother.
She suddenly remembered the boy who used to hide behind her whenever thunderstorms frightened him.
Was now trying to save their property.
Tears blurred her vision.
She wrapped him in a tight embrace.
"I'm so sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for."
"I promised Mom and Dad I'd protect you."
"You did."
"And now I'm failing."
"No."
He pulled away just enough to look her in the eyes.
"You've never failed me."
Those words broke the last piece of her heart.
Across the city...
Ethan stood in front of the massive windows of Blackwood Holdings.
Nathan entered carrying another file.
"The investigation is complete."
Ethan turned.
"What did you find?"
Nathan placed the report on the desk.
"The fraud wasn't ordinary."
"It involved forged government approvals, fake investment licenses, and international shell companies."
"They've done this before."
"Yes."
"They targeted family-owned companies."
Nathan paused.
"Miss Carter wasn't careless."
"She was selected."
Ethan opened the file.
Photographs.
Witness statements.
Financial records.
Then one photograph caught his attention.
Nora.
Standing in front of Carter Heights after her parents' funeral.
One arm around a much younger Noah.
She couldn't have been more than twenty.
Nathan spoke softly.
"She refused to sell even after being offered three times the market value."
Ethan didn't answer.
He kept looking at the photograph.
Another page.
A newspaper clipping.
HEIRESS DONATES HALF HER TRUST FUND TO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
Another.
NORA CARTER DECLINES LUXURY LIFESTYLE, ENROLLS IN MEDICAL SCHOOL.
Another.
CARTER FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS.
Nathan folded his hands behind his back.
"Everyone thinks she's a spoiled billionaire's daughter."
"They're wrong."
Ethan slowly closed the file.
"I know."
Silence filled the office.
Finally Nathan asked,
"Should I increase the offer for Carter Heights?"
Ethan looked toward the skyline.
"No."
Nathan blinked.
"No?"
"If I buy that building..."
"...I'll destroy the only thing she's still fighting for."
Nathan frowned.
"Then what do we do?"
Ethan's gaze sharpened.
For the first time in days...
An idea began to form.
Not a business deal.
A partnership.
One that could solve both of their problems.
His.
And hers.
A slow smile crossed his face.
"Nathan."
"Yes, sir?"
"Ask David Lawson to come to my office."
"Our legal counsel?"
"Yes."
Nathan nodded.
"Okay boss?"
Ethan picked up the Carter file one last time.
Then he said quietly,
"I need him to draft a marriage contract."
Nathan stared at him in stunned silence.
"... A marriage contract?"
Ethan's expression never changed.
"For Nora Carter."
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