Chapter 11 - The Web Tightens
Julian did not move, his hands remaining visibly at his sides. ""On what grounds, officer?""
""Forty minutes ago, Madame Eleanor Vance was found unconscious at the bottom of the grand staircase at the Vance Manor,"" the officer stated, unholstering a pair of handcuffs. ""Paramedics transported her in critical condition with severe head trauma. Estate staff reported an intense verbal altercation between the two of you before you fled the scene.""
""That’s impossible!"" Clara cried out from the bed, attempting to push herself upright, only for the heart monitor to beep wildly in alarm. ""He has been here at the hospital with me! Check the hospital cameras!""
""The incident occurred before Master Vance arrived here, ma'am,"" the officer replied firmly, stepping closer to Julian. ""We have an official statement from Mr. Arthur Sterling, who was visiting the residence to review corporate filings. He identified Julian Vance as the last person seen shouting at the victim before she fell.""
Julian’s eyes narrowed into slits of venomous clarity. Sterling hadn't waited for the morning meeting. He had gone straight to the estate to clean up loose ends. Eleanor had outlived her usefulness, and Julian was being framed for her elimination before he could utter a single word to the authorities.
""Officer,"" Julian said calmly, extending his wrists. ""I will come peacefully. But I advise you to place this entire hospital floor under armed guard immediately. The men who staged my mother's fall will not hesitate to silence my wife.""
The officer hesitated, catching the lethal sincerity in Julian's demeanor, before nodding to his partner. ""Post two men outside this room. No one enters without direct clearance from the precinct captain.""
As the steel cuffs clicked around Julian’s wrists, he caught Clara’s eyes. She was terrified, but Julian offered her a slow, deliberate nod—a silent command to stay strong.
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Julian was escorted through the hospital corridors toward the waiting cruiser. As they exited into the cool morning drizzle, a black town car was parked across the street, tinted windows rolled halfway down.
Sitting in the back seat, calmly sipping coffee while reading the morning financial newspaper, was Arthur Sterling. He raised his cup slightly toward Julian in a silent, mocking toast.
