Chapter 10 - The Desperate Flight
As the recorded confession echoed off the crystal chandeliers of the Ritz-Carlton, Elena’s smug, triumphant expression disintegrated into sheer, animalistic terror. The flashbulbs of fifty paparazzi cameras blinded her as reporters screamed questions, pushing past security to get a shot of the exposed murderess.
Richard Sterling, realizing he had been used as a pawn in a federal murder conspiracy, immediately dropped Elena’s arm as if she were on fire. “I had nothing to do with this!” he shouted to the press, holding his hands up and backing away into the crowd. “She lied to me!”
“Richard, you coward!” Elena shrieked, making a desperate lunge toward the ballroom’s emergency exit.
She shoved a waiter aside, sending a tray of champagne glasses crashing to the floor, and bolted into the service corridor. But Julian had anticipated every move. He hadn’t just brought Nora to the gala to make a statement; he had locked down the building.
As Elena burst through the heavy double doors leading to the underground parking garage, her heels skidding on the concrete, the harsh glare of tactical headlights snapped on, blinding her. Four black SUVs blocked the exit ramp.
“Elena Vance,” a voice boomed over a megaphone. It was Marcus, standing beside two uniformed federal agents, his badge clipped to his belt. “You are under arrest for the premeditated murder of Sarah Vance, conspiracy to commit murder, and corporate fraud. Step away from the vehicle and place your hands behind your head.”
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Elena froze, her chest heaving as the sirens wailed in the distance, closing in from every surrounding street. She looked back toward the doors of the ballroom, where Julian and Nora now stood side-by-side on the balcony overlooking the garage, watching her downfall with calm, unwavering justice.
In a final, pathetic act of defiance, Elena fell to her knees on the cold concrete, her expensive blood-red gown pooling around her like a stain, sobbing hysterically as the cuffs were clicked tightly around her wrists. The reign of the Ice Queen was officially over.
