Chapter 8 - The Asset Foreclosure
Three weeks later.
The civil asset recovery process moved forward with relentless speed. Under the terms of the federal corporate reorganization order, the United States Marshals Service began the formal liquidation of all personal assets tied to Richard, Diane, and Evan Mercer to satisfy the $3.8 million restitution order and cover outstanding corporate tax penalties.
I sat in my new executive office at Mercer Logistics—now officially rebranded as Westbrook Logistics & Supply Chain Solutions—watching the live digital auction portal on my computer monitor.
Sitting across from me was Sarah Lin, my new Chief Financial Officer, holding a stack of asset liquidation reports.
"The Greenwich estate went on the auction block this morning," Sarah reported, handing me a summary document. "It sold to a private real estate investment group for $14.2 million. After satisfying the primary mortgage and federal tax liens, $6.8 million will be transferred directly into our corporate treasury."
"And the personal vehicle fleet?" I asked.
"Richard’s Bentley, Evan’s Porsche, and Diane’s Range Rover were seized and sold at the federal marshal auction in Newark yesterday," Sarah replied. "Total recovery was $420,000."
I looked at the summary numbers on my screen. The financial empire that Richard Mercer had spent thirty years building on a foundation of theft, intimidation, and arrogance had been completely dismantled in less than thirty days.
My desk phone rang. It was James Vance.
"Claire," James said as soon as I picked up. "The federal magistrate just signed the final order approving your petition for an absolute divorce and corporate asset separation from Evan Mercer."
A profound sense of relief washed over me, lighter and sweeter than air. "It's completely finalized?"
"Completely," James confirmed. "The court ruled that Evan’s criminal actions, marital fraud, and physical assault constituted grounds for an immediate, unappealable decree of divorce. You are legally single, Claire. Your maiden name, Claire Westbrook, has been officially restored on all corporate deeds, bank titles, and state registries."
"Thank you, James," I said, my voice trembling slightly with emotion. "For everything."
"You earned this victory, Claire," James said warmly. "By the way... Evan’s defense team made one final request before the judge closed the file this afternoon."
"What request?"
"Evan asked if you would be willing to meet with him one last time at the federal detention center before he is transferred to the federal correctional facility in Pennsylvania to begin serving his sentence."
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I looked down at my left leg. The heavy fiberglass cast had been removed two days ago, replaced by a sleek, lightweight removable walking boot. I could stand on my own two feet again. I could walk forward into my new life without leaning on anyone.
"Tell his lawyer no," I said smoothly. "I have a company to run."
