Chapter 5 - The Trap Snaps Shut
The flashbulbs of reporters’ cameras began going off like strobe lights. The media, who had been invited for a routine corporate story, were now witnessing the public execution of a high-society betrayal.
"Turn it off! Turn it off!" Julianna shrieked at the AV booth, trying to push through the crowd, but guests were actively backing away from her like she had the plague.
I stood on stage, completely calm, watching the utter collapse of their world.
"For the past eighteen months," I continued into the microphone, "my husband, Daniel Brooks, and my Executive Vice President, Julianna Vance, have conspired to commit grand theft, corporate fraud, and wire fraud. They attempted to forge my legal authority, alienate my company assets to Cayman shell corporations, and take out unauthorized insurance policies on my life."
"You're crazy! She's lying!" Daniel yelled, his refined lawyer persona completely disintegrating. He tried to scramble onto the stage, but the security team shoved him back down. "Victoria, you've lost your mind!"
Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the back of the ballroom slammed open.
Four uniformed officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, flanked by three federal agents in suits from the FBI's Financial Crimes Unit, strode purposefully down the center aisle.
"Daniel Brooks? Julianna Vance?" the lead federal agent shouted over the noise.
Julianna tried to run toward the side exit, but an officer cut her off, grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her back.
"Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am?!" she screamed, her polished facade shattered into hysterics.
Daniel tried to back away, but two agents tackled him to the carpet, pinning him down in front of the entire room of investors, colleagues, and city officials.
Click. Click.
The metallic sound of handcuffs snapping around Daniel’s wrists rang out clearly over the hushed room.
Eleanor, my attorney, stepped up to the stage next to me, handing a microphone to the lead FBI agent.
"Daniel Brooks and Julianna Vance," the agent announced to the entire room, "you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit federal wire fraud, identity theft, and attempted grand larceny. You have the right to remain silent."
As the officers hauled Daniel to his feet, his eyes met mine. The arrogance was gone. The charm was gone. All that remained in his eyes was pure, terrified desperation.
"Victoria! Please!" Daniel begged as they dragged him down the aisle. "Talk to me! We can work this out! Think of Liam!"
"I am thinking of Liam," I said cold and loud into the microphone. "That's why I'm taking back everything you tried to steal from him."
The crowd broke into spontaneous applause as the authorities dragged Daniel and Julianna out of the ballroom, their disgraced exit captured by dozens of smartphones and news cameras.
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I looked out at the room, took a deep breath, and adjusted my dress.
"Now," I said smoothly into the microphone, "if you'll all turn your attention back to the screen, let's begin our actual corporate presentation."
