Chapter 6 - The Federal Raid
By Friday, the hammer fell.
I was watching the morning news while drinking my coffee when the breaking story flashed across the screen.
LOCAL TECH STARTUP RAIDED BY FBI OVER FRAUD ALLEGATIONS.
Helicopter footage showed agents carrying boxes of files and computer towers out of Mark's sleek downtown office building. A few moments later, the camera zoomed in as Mark, wearing handcuffs and a windbreaker, was escorted into the back of a federal vehicle.
Evan wasn't spared, either. Although Mark had stolen the money, Evan’s signature was on the audit reports, meaning he had been negligent. They were both going down.
My phone buzzed. It was my mother.
"Sarah," she croaked. Her voice sounded thin, aged by a decade in a single week. "Have you seen the news?"
"I've seen it, Mom."
"The feds... they came to Chloe's apartment this morning. They took her laptop and her bank records. She's terrified."
"She made her bed," I said softly but firmly. "Do not bail her out, Mom. If you and Dad wire her money, they will audit your retirement accounts. Do not go down with her."
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There was a long silence on the line. Then, my mother let out a heavy sigh. "We raised you both. Where did we go so wrong with her?"
"You didn't," I assured her. "Some people are just born empty, Mom. And they will suck the life out of anyone trying to fill them."
