Chapter 14 - The Fall of the House
Stock tickers on the auxiliary displays began an immediate, vertical plunge as financial analysts in the room rapidly hammered on their phones, dumping Vance shares before the public broadcast went viral. Flashbulbs blinded the stage as journalists crowded the perimeter, shouting questions over the din.
""Ms. Vance! Did you assault your pregnant sister-in-law?""
""Mrs. Vance! Did you order your staff to destroy criminal evidence?""
Elena backed away from the podium in horror, stumbling over her own heels. ""It’s a lie! It’s edited! It’s an AI deepfake!"" she screamed hysterically into the microphone, but her manic, unhinged demeanor only made the guilt more glaringly obvious.
The side doors of the grand ballroom burst open. Detective Harris entered, flanked by six uniformed police officers and two state investigators. They marched directly down the center aisle, pushing through the stunned crowd of shareholders.
""Evelyn Vance, Elena Vance,"" Detective Harris announced, her voice cutting through the pandemonium via her megaphone. ""Step down from the stage with your hands visible.""
Arthur Sterling rushed to intercede, waving his hands frantically. ""Officers, this is an unlawful disruption of a private corporate event! I represent these women—""
""Step aside, Mr. Sterling, or you’ll be arrested for obstruction of justice,"" Harris said, pushing past him without breaking stride. ""Warrants have been issued by the State Attorney General for felony aggravated assault, attempted murder, and criminal tampering with physical evidence.""
Elena tried to run toward the backstage exit, but two officers cut her off, grabbing her arms and forcing them behind her back. The cold steel of handcuffs clicked tightly around her wrists. Elena shrieked, thrashing against their grip, her elegant hair coming undone in wild strands.
""Mother! Do something!"" Elena wailed, tears of humiliation and rage ruining her makeup. ""Call the Governor! Call someone!""
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Evelyn stood frozen in the center of the stage. Her empire was evaporating in front of her eyes. Her reputation, carefully constructed over forty years of ruthless manipulation, lay in ruins on the ballroom floor. As an officer stepped behind Evelyn to place her in restraints, her eyes darted upward toward the glass projection booth.
Standing at the window, silhouetted against the bright control lights, was David. He looked down at his mother and sister without a shred of pity, his expression as cold and unyielding as stone.
