My Wife Killed Me, Now I’m the Apocalypse Billionaire

Chapter 5: Viral

The morning after the Jones family's uninvited visit, Sean stood in the security office near the front gate of the Ridgewood community. Two guards sat behind a bank of monitors showing camera feeds from every entrance. The head of security, a broad shouldered man named Frank, was listening with his hands folded on the desk.

"Mr. Miles, you said there was an incident last night?" Frank's tone was professional and attentive.

"Three people showed up at my door unannounced around 9 PM. A man in his sixties, his wife, and a younger woman. They let themselves through the gate and came directly to my property without authorization." Sean placed a printed photo on the desk showing George's silver sedan captured by his doorbell camera.

Frank picked up the photo and studied it. "That shouldn't have happened. The night shift is supposed to check visitor clearance before letting anyone through."

"It won't happen again. I want all three of them permanently flagged in your system. Their names are George Jones, Margaret Jones, and Jessica Jones. None of them are to be allowed past the gate under any circumstances." Sean's voice was calm and steady, like he was placing a routine order.

"Understood. I'll update the access list immediately." Frank was already typing.

"One more thing, Frank. This is a high end neighborhood. Not just anyone can waltz in here. If they show up again, your people turn them around at the gate. No phone calls to me, no exceptions, no discussions. They simply don't get in." Sean tapped the photo once with his finger and stood up.

"Consider it done, Mr. Miles." Frank nodded firmly.

Sean walked back to his villa through the quiet tree lined streets. The March air was crisp and clean, and a few neighbors were out walking dogs or collecting mail. A couple across the street waved at him. He waved back politely and kept moving.

Eighty one days. The clock doesn't stop for family drama.

Three miles across town, the atmosphere inside the Jones household was the polar opposite of Ridgewood's peaceful morning. George was sitting in his recliner with his jaw clenched so tight the muscles in his neck were twitching. Margaret was on the sofa, arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin, bloodless line. Jessica sat at the dining table, scrolling through her phone, her face unreadable.

And Zach was leaning against the kitchen counter with a coffee mug in his hand and a lazy grin on his face.

"So let me get this straight. The guy walks away from the marriage broke, wins the lottery the same day, buys a twelve million dollar house, and then has his security guards ready to throw you out?" Zach took a slow sip of coffee, clearly enjoying himself.

"Nobody threw us out. We left on our own." Jessica's voice was flat, not looking up from her phone.

"Babe, he basically slammed the door in your face. That's the same thing." Zach set his mug down and walked over to the table, sliding into the chair beside her. His hand found her shoulder, and he squeezed gently. "But don't worry about it. I know a guy. Lawyer named Derek Hoffman. He's a pit bull. Handled my cousin's divorce last year and squeezed every penny out of the other side."

George leaned forward in his recliner. "Can this lawyer actually get us Sean's money?"

"Dad, it's not 'us.' It's me. I was his wife." Jessica finally looked up, her expression tight.

"You, us, whatever. The point is that money should be in this family." George waved his hand impatiently.