A wave of nervous, dark laughter broke the tension in the middle rows.
"You haven't been enforcing community standards, Deandra," I said, looking her dead in the eyes. "You've been running a protection racket. You extorted $3,400 from Mrs. Kowalski by threatening a foreclosure lien while her husband was actively dying of cancer in her living room. You extorted $800 from the Brunellis for an inflatable plastic kiddie pool, and $1,200 from Rick Haverson for parking his work vehicle in his own driveway."
"Slander!" Deandra screamed, her voice cracking high. "I will sue you for everything you own!"
The double doors at the back of the hall opened sharply. A professional woman in a grey business suit scanned the room, holding a thick folder. "Is Deandra Calloway present in this room?"
Deandra blinked, her voice faltering. "Who wants to know?"
"Process server," the woman said, walking down the aisle and handing her a thick manila envelope. "You've been formally served."
Deandra ripped the envelope open, her fingers shaking so badly she dropped the initial sheet onto the linoleum. Her face went green as her eyes scanned the legal text. "You can't do this... this is an active board session—"
Marcus Feinstein stood up beside her table. "Three separate lawsuits were filed in the county court this morning, Mrs. Calloway. First, an immediate emergency injunction freezing this board's authority to collect any fees, assessments, or file liens. Second, a class-action lawsuit on behalf of eight independent households seeking the full return of all fraudulently extracted fines, plus punitive damages for intentional distress. Third, a formal judicial mandate forcing an immediate forensic audit of all association bank accounts over the past five years."
The room exploded. Homeowners leaped to their feet, clapping wildly. Deandra's core supporters sat frozen, staring down at the floorboards, completely abandoning her line.
A distinguished older resident named Arthur stood up in the second row, his hand raised high. "I move that we immediately remove Deandra Calloway from the board of directors for cause!"
Gregory Matsuno hit his gavel once, his voice loud. "I second the motion!"
"I third it!" Yolanda Wu shouted.