Chapter 4 - The Collapse of the House of Bennett
Victor’s desperate livestream went viral within minutes, skyrocketing to the number one trending spot across America. Millions of viewers tuned in to watch the heir of Bennett Construction unravel in real time, ranting incoherently from the backseat of a getaway car.
“My family is destroying me!” Victor screamed into the camera, veins bulging in his neck. “Daniel Sterling and my traitorous sister Claire are orchestrating a hostile takeover! They framed me! If I’m going down, I’m taking down half the politicians in this city who took our campaign donations!”
By noon, the fallout was catastrophic. Major news networks surrounded the Manhattan precinct, shoving microphones at anyone who walked through the front doors. Federal investigators swarmed the municipal offices, subpoenaing city council members who had fast-tracked Bennett construction permits.
I sat in Daniel’s private conference room on the fiftieth floor, watching the live news broadcast on a giant screen while our legal team prepared the next wave of civil lawsuits.
“He just signed his own federal indictment,” Daniel remarked, sipping black coffee as he watched Victor threaten local politicians. “Threatening extortion on a public livestream is prosecutor’s gold.”
The heavy oak doors burst open, and my mother walked in, uninvited and unhinged. Her expensive Chanel suit was wrinkled, her hair disheveled, and her eyes wide with unadulterated panic. She looked ten years older than she had twenty-four hours ago.
“Claire!” she sobbed, rushing toward me and trying to grab my hands. “You have to stop this! They arrested your father! They took our home! They froze my personal grocery cards!”
I stood up slowly, gently pulling my hands away from her grasp. I didn't feel anger; I felt a profound, hollow numbness.
“You mean the home bought with embezzled funds, Mother?” I asked coldly. “And the grocery cards linked to corporate accounts that were funded by defrauding subcontractors?”
“How can you be so heartless?” she wailed, striking my arm in frustration. “He is your father! He gave you everything!”
“He gave me a cage,” I corrected her, my voice dropping an octave. “And every time Victor broke the rules, you forced me to smile, look pretty, and lie to cover up his filth. Where was your heart when Victor smashed a bottle over Daniel’s head? Where was your outrage when Dad told the table he deserved it?”
My mother froze, her hand hovering in the air. For a fleeting second, guilt flickered across her face before being replaced by fierce denial.
“It was a family disagreement! You don't destroy your own flesh and blood over a head injury!”
“That’s where we differ,” Daniel spoke up from the end of the conference room, his voice lethal and calm. “In our world, loyalty isn't an excuse for attempted murder. And betrayal has a price.”
Just then, the glass doors opened again, and two federal agents stepped inside, flashing their badges. “Eleanor Bennett?” the lead agent asked.
My mother turned around, horror dawning in her eyes. “I’m a civilian! I didn't sign the corporate ledgers!”
“You didn't need to sign them, Mrs. Bennett,” the agent replied smoothly, pulling out a warrant. “You transferred three million dollars of embezzled funds into offshore accounts registered in your maiden name last Tuesday. You’re under arrest for money laundering and conspiracy.”
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As the cuffs clicked onto my mother’s wrists, she screamed my name in absolute hatred, cursing me as she was dragged out of the room.
I stood by the window, watching them lead her into a waiting federal van below. The Bennett dynasty had officially imploded.
