Chapter 9 - Confrontation in the Study
In the expansive second-floor study, Richard Sterling stared down at the printed transaction ledgers handed to him by Detective Marcus Vance. The numbers didn't lie; millions had been drained systematically over the past six months while he was incapacitated by mysterious health issues.
"Victoria... explain this," Richard demanded, his voice trembling with a mixture of betrayal and rising fury as he looked up at his wife. "You told me these were routine tax restructuring papers!"
Victoria didn't flinch. Instead, her sweet facade melted away, replaced by a cold, venomous sneer. She walked over to the mahogany desk, picking up a heavy crystal paperweight with deliberate slowness. "You always were naive, Richard. You built the empire, but you lacked the stomach to protect it. With you out of the way and Clara at the bottom of the pool, everything belongs to us."
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Detective Vance immediately drew his service weapon, pointing it squarely at Victoria. "Victoria Vance, you are under arrest for attempted murder and corporate fraud. Drop the paperweight."
Before Victoria could react, a loud crash echoed from above. The ceiling ventilation register buckled under sudden weight, and two figures tumbled out of the ductwork, crashing heavily onto the Persian rug in the center of the study.
