Chapter 13 - Total Liquidation
Dominic stared at the plastic pen on the floor, his entire body shaking violently.
District Attorney Marcus Vance stepped out from the crowd of guests, accompanied by six armed federal marshals.
“Dominic Thorne,” the District Attorney announced, unrolling a multi-jurisdictional indictment.
“You are officially charged with first-degree murder in the death of Julian Thorne.”
“Furthermore, you face twenty-eight federal counts of securities fraud, tax evasion, child abuse complicity, and money laundering.”
“Bail is denied automatically as a high-risk flight threat.”
Two federal marshals grabbed Dominic by the shoulders, wrenching him up from the floor with ruthless force.
Dominic thrashed wildly, his expensive shirt ripping down the chest.
“Cynthia! You can't let them take me!” he screamed, his voice turning shrill and hysterical.
“Arthur! Sir Sterling! Have mercy!”
Arthur Sterling stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me.
His ancient, powerful face remained completely expressionless.
“The Sterling family does not grant mercy to parasites who bite the hand that feeds them,” Arthur said with ice-cold precision.
“By midnight, the Thorne name will be completely scrubbed from every registry, building, and charitable foundation in the Western Hemisphere.”
“Your family home has already been foreclosed by Sterling Bank.”
“Your personal effects will be sold at public auction to establish a trauma recovery trust fund for my granddaughter.”
“You will spend the rest of your natural life in a maximum-security penitentiary, forgotten by the world you tried so desperately to conquer.”
The federal marshals dragged Dominic toward the exit.
His polished leather shoes skidded helplessly across the polished floor, leaving scuff marks that the hotel staff were already preparing to buff away.
As Dominic was pulled through the grand doors, he locked eyes with Chloe one last time.
Chloe didn't cry.
She didn't reach out for him.
May you like
She simply rested her chin on my shoulder and watched him disappear, her little eyes filled with the calm understanding that the monster was gone forever.
The heavy oak doors of the ballroom slammed shut with a final, echoing thud.
