Chapter 5 - The Setup
The kiss changed everything, and yet, the world outside refused to let us breathe.
The morning after Arthur Sterling’s arrest, Eleanor played her final, desperate card. She couldn't touch Julian, so she aimed for the weakest link: me.
I was in the east wing gardens with Lily when three police cruisers rolled up the gravel driveway. Julian was at the corporate office in the city.
An officer approached me, his face stern. "Sarah Hayes? We have a warrant for your arrest."
"Arrest? For what?" I asked, pulling Lily behind me.
"Grand larceny. A diamond necklace belonging to the late Mrs. Vance was found in your staff locker this morning. Eleanor Sterling provided the tip."
My stomach plummeted. Eleanor had planted it before the gala, a failsafe in case I ever became a problem. The locker. I hadn't used it since Julian moved me to the guest suite.
"I didn't take anything!" I pleaded, but they were already pulling out handcuffs.
"Mommy!" Lily screamed, crying as an officer pulled me away.
Marcus, the head of security, stepped in. "Officers, you are making a grave mistake. Julian Vance will have your badges for this."
"We have a warrant, Marcus. Step aside," the cop ordered.
I was thrown into the back of a squad car, watching my crying daughter disappear from view. The drive to the precinct felt like a death march. Eleanor was going to frame me, put me in prison, and leave Lily an orphan.
But I had underestimated Julian Vance.
I wasn't in the holding cell for more than twenty minutes before the precinct doors practically blew off their hinges. Julian strode in, flanked by three high-powered attorneys. He looked like an angel of death—his suit immaculate, his eyes dark with a lethal, barely contained rage.
"Release her. Immediately," Julian commanded the desk sergeant, his voice vibrating with authority.
May you like
"Mr. Vance, we found the necklace—"
"You found a replica Eleanor Sterling purchased two weeks ago. I have the receipt, the security footage of her entering the staff quarters, and the actual necklace sitting in my private vault." Julian slammed a thick folder onto the desk. "Now take those cuffs off my partner before I buy this city and fire every single one of you."
