Page 137 of Thorns of Malice

"Ah, but I can. Jeez, Avery, you went to school and spent all that time learning to read. You really should have read the stipulations of our trusts in detail."

"I did read the trust in detail," she says through clenched teeth.

"Did you?"

"I have it memorized," she claims.

"Good. So do I. Clause 15, Part B." I stare at her and cross my arms, unable to help the grin widening on my face.

She thinks about it briefly, and the color drains from her face.

It's a priceless scenario, another one I wish I could capture forever.

"That's right, Avery. Any Carrington who ends up in jail is no longer welcome on the estate."

"I'm not incarcerated," she claims.

"Ah. But you will be, won't you?"

"No, I won't. And charges against me don't mean you get to kick me off the estate."

"Ah, but you're forgetting about Clause 15, Article F. I believe you violated it yesterday when you met with your attorney?"

She stills, and her cheeks take on a green tinge. Her lips tremble. She barely gets out, "Dax."

"Nope, it's over, Avery. Your shit's packed up. You can text me where you want me to send it," I assert.

"You can't do this!"

I insist, "I can. The trust clearly states anyone whose trust dips below the five million dollar mark is no longer welcome on the estate. I believe your last five million is with your attorney for your retainer fee?"

"Dax, you can't do this!" she repeats.

"Oh, but I didn't. You did. And you're over, dear sister."

"You can't do this!" she shrieks.

"Shoot me a text. You're lucky you're getting your shit," I say.

"Dax, you fucking bastard," she screams as I open the door, step out, and softly close it behind me, feeling like a million bucks.

Avery is going down. Piece by piece, her world's crashing around her, and I'll do everything I can to ensure nothing deters it.

Two down, one to go.

Bobby better watch out because I'm coming for him next.

24

Ivy

The doorbell rings. Kristen arrives with another envelope as thick as the last one.

"What's this?" I question.

She smiles wider, answering, "Once again, I don't know, but Dax wants you to have it."

"Oh, right," I say, taking it from her.

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