Chapter 19 - The Cornered Beast
The lead homicide detective stepped onto the stage, pulling out a pair of heavy steel handcuffs.
"Richard Sterling, you are under arrest for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, corporate fraud, and witness intimidation," the detective announced.
Richard looked around the room. His board members turned their backs. The investors were already pulling their capital from his firm. The media was broadcasting his ruin live to millions of households across the world.
In a split second of desperate madness, Richard lunged forward, reaching into his tuxedo jacket.
"I won't let you destroy my empire!" he roared.
Before he could pull whatever was in his pocket, two federal agents tackled him to the ground, slamming him onto the carpeted stage. A small, concealed firearm skittered across the floor, stopping right at the hem of my crimson dress.
The crowd screamed as officers pinned Richard down, ratcheting the handcuffs tight around his wrists.
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I didn't flinch. I didn't step back. I looked down at the fallen titan groaning on the floor, his silver hair messy, his power stripped away in a matter of seconds.
"Your empire was built on blood and lies, Richard," I said quietly, kicking the fallen firearm away with my heel. "It was never yours to keep."
