Chapter 6 - THE CRUMBLING EMPIRE
"Richard Vance, Eleanor Vance, and Victoria Vance," the lead detective announced, pulling out three pairs of steel handcuffs. "You are under arrest for grand larceny conspiracy, corporate fraud, felony domestic abuse, and child endangerment."
"You can't touch me! I am the founder's father!" Richard roared, thrashing as an officer grabbed his arms and forced them behind his back. "Marcus! Tell them to stop! You owe your life to me!"
Marcus stood up, towering over his father. "I gave you a home, a luxury stipend, and my respect. You gave my pregnant wife a wooden stool and scraps on the floor. You owe me everything. And today, I take it all back."
Eleanor fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably as an officer clicked handcuffs onto her wrists. "Marcus, my darling boy! I'm your mother! She's just an outsider! She tricked you!"
"She is my wife. She is the mother of my children. And you," Marcus said, staring down at Eleanor without a single shred of warmth left in his heart, "are a stranger to me."
Victoria shrieked as her diamond bracelet—the one she had been showing off on social media—was unclasped by an officer and bagged as evidence of stolen corporate funds. "Marcus! Don't let them take me to jail! It's dirty in there!"
"You'll get used to it," Marcus said coldly. "I hear the meals are served on plastic trays. You won't have to worry about fine crystal anymore."
The board members watched in stern silence as the three disgraced family members were paraded out of the executive suite, their screams of despair echoing down the elevator shaft.
Once the room cleared, Jonathan Sterling handed Marcus a golden fountain pen. "All their personal assets, the Lake Forest house, and their offshore accounts have been frozen under Clause 7. The estate deed now sits exclusively in Clara Vance’s name."
Marcus took the pen, signed his name at the bottom of the ledger, and turned toward the window. "Sell their luxury cars. Liquidate their jewelry. Every cent goes into a trust fund for victims of domestic abuse."
"Right away, Mr. Vance," Sterling nodded.
Marcus pulled out his phone. For the first time in weeks, his hands weren't shaking with rage. He hit speed dial.
"Clara?" he asked softy.
May you like
"Marcus?" her sweet, hesitant voice came through the receiver. "Is it... is it over?"
"It's over, my love," Marcus said, tears finally spilling over his eyelids. "They are gone. They will never touch you or Leo ever again. I'm coming home."
