Chapter 6 - The Free Fall
The ballroom descended into absolute chaos.
Federal agents from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and investigators from the New York District Attorney's office—whom Arthur had invited to the event—marched through the front doors.
"Julian Vance, Ximena Vance, and Victoria Hayes," the lead federal agent announced, pulling out a set of handcuffs. "You are under arrest for federal wire fraud, grand larceny, corporate tax evasion, and embezzlement."
Ximena started screaming as agents slapped handcuffs on her wrists. "Julian! Do something! You told me this was legal!"
"Shut up, Ximena!" Julian roared, kicking frantically as he was raised to his feet. He looked at Victoria, desperate for support. "Victoria, call our lawyers! Use the offshore account!"
Victoria looked at him with pure venom, pulling her silk dress away from his reach. "Get away from me, Julian! I don't know anything about his accounts! He forced me to sign those papers!"
"You lying snake!" Julian screamed as Victoria tried to slip out the side exit—only to be blocked by two female federal officers who promptly handcuffed her as well.
The news cameras flashed relentlessly, capturing every second of the Vance family's public annihilation.
Julian was led past me in handcuffs. As he reached my side, he stopped, his posture broken, his eyes wide with disbelief and terror.
"Genevieve... please," he stammered, his voice cracking. "We can talk about this! Think about our family! Think about Hazel!"
Hearing my daughter’s name come out of his filthy mouth set a cold spark in my chest.
I leaned in close to his ear so only he could hear me.
"Hazel died three days ago, Julian," I whispered softly. "I brought her ashes home in a white urn while you were having dinner with Victoria. You told me to leave her in the nursery because she ruined the atmosphere."
Julian froze. His face went entirely gray, his eyes wide with horrifying realization.
"She... she's dead?" he whimpered, his knees buckling under him.
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"You killed her for forty-five thousand dollars," I said, stepping back with complete indifference. "Now, I am going to take every single dollar, every piece of real estate, every suit, and every second of freedom you have left."
The agents dragged the sobbing, collapsing Julian Vance out of the Plaza Hotel into the cold night air, right past dozens of flashing news cameras.
