Chapter 8 - The Fall of Julian
Arthur signaled to the state troopers standing by the entrance.
“Julian Vance, you are under arrest for severe corporate embezzlement and wire fraud,” the lead trooper announced.
The officers marched up the steps of the stage, pulling Julian roughly to his feet.
“Wait! No! I didn't steal anything!” Julian protested, thrashing against their grip.
“You transferred two million dollars of our invested capital into an offshore account to buy Chloe’s engagement ring,” Harrison stated coldly.
“We have the exact IP addresses, the wire logs, and the forged signatures.”
The cold metal handcuffs clicked loudly around Julian’s wrists.
He looked completely broken, his expensive tuxedo wrinkled and stained with sweat.
As the officers dragged him down the aisle, he stopped right in front of me.
“Clara, please,” Julian begged, tears streaming down his face.
“I loved you. I really did. Don't let them put me in prison.”
I stared into the eyes of the man I had spent five years of my life with.
“If you had loved me, you wouldn't have hidden a second life,” I said softly, my voice devoid of any emotion.
“Enjoy your new reality, Julian.”
I turned my back on him, refusing to give him another second of my time.
The officers pulled him out of the ballroom, his pathetic cries fading down the hallway.
The guests stood frozen, entirely traumatized by the brutal display of Sterling power.
I walked over to Sebastian, who was still holding Lily.
“Are you ready to go home, Clare?” Sebastian asked gently.
May you like
“Yes,” I replied, taking a deep, cleansing breath.
“Take us home.”
