"Lot forty-four, a pristine vintage classic! Opening bid at twenty thousand dollars... do I hear twenty-five? Twenty-five thousand to the gentleman in the front row—"
The heavy double metal doors at the rear of the warehouse were kicked open with a thunderous bang.
"Stop the auction!" a commanding voice echoed off the steel rafters.
The entire floor fell dead silent. The auctioneer froze with his gavel suspended in mid-air.
Striding through the entrance in a tailored charcoal suit and carrying a heavy leather briefcase was David Mercer—a premier federal civil rights attorney and Ryan’s older brother. Flanking him was Sheriff Miller, in full uniform with his service sidearm, accompanied by two armed state deputies.
"This auction is officially shut down under county warrant!" David announced, his sharp gaze locking onto the auction staff. "Every vehicle brought in by Meadowbrook HOA was towed under fraudulent documentation and in direct violation of state property statutes! Release this car immediately!"
Karen’s smug smile vanished. Her jaw dropped in absolute terror as Sheriff Miller unclipped a set of formal subpoenas and served them directly into the hands of the auction manager.