Chapter 2 - The Fall of the House of Thorne
The federal agents didn't waste time. Within minutes, they were inside the foyer, cataloging files and seizing hard drives. Elena tried to bolt through the side door, but a military police officer intercepted her with practiced ease.
“Elena Vance, you are under arrest for corporate fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit tax evasion,” the officer stated.
As they cuffed her, her mask of polished grace finally shattered. She screamed, a high-pitched, desperate sound that grated against the early morning stillness. “Marcus! Tell them! Tell them you authorized it!”
Marcus looked at me, his eyes pleading. “Sarah, let’s talk. Please. We can resolve this privately. Don’t do this to the family.”
“The family?” I laughed, the sound cold and devoid of humor. “There is no family here, Marcus. There is only a man who forgot his loyalty and a woman who sold her soul for a seat at a table that was never hers to begin with.”
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Robert Thorne stepped forward, his hands shaking. “Sarah... General... we didn't know. We thought Elena had used her own funds. We thought you were... simply struggling.”
“You didn’t ask,” I said, looking at the man I had called 'Father' for years. “You preferred the lie because the lie was easy. And because it made you feel powerful to pity me.”
