Chapter 13 - The Final Verdict
The silence that followed Julian's confession was absolute. He remained on his knees, breathing heavily, waiting for the absolution. He waited for Seraphina to offer a hand, to pull him up, to say he had suffered enough.
Instead, he heard the click of her heels turning away.
"Thank you for the entertainment, Julian," Seraphina said, her voice echoing through the speakers. "Your confession has been recorded and will be submitted to the SEC tomorrow morning alongside the evidence of your corporate embezzlement."
Julian’s head snapped up. "What? No! I did what you asked! I begged!"
"You did," Seraphina agreed, looking over her shoulder with a serene smile. "And I promised that everyone in this room would watch you beg. I never promised you mercy."
Julian leaped to his feet, lunging toward her in a blind rage. "You bitch!"
Before he could take two steps, three security guards tackled him to the marble floor, pinning him down effortlessly.
"Julian Vance," a man in a dark suit stepped forward from the crowd, flashing a gold badge. "FBI Financial Crimes Division. You are under arrest for federal wire fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion."
Julian thrashed against the guards, screaming Seraphina’s name as they cuffed his hands behind his back.
May you like
Beatrice finally collapsed, fainting into the arms of a bewildered waiter. The dynasty was dead. The empire was burned to ash.
Seraphina didn't even watch them drag him out. She handed the microphone to an aide and turned to her grandfather. "Shall we proceed with the champagne?"
