Chapter 7 - The Tables Turn
David backed up a step, colliding squarely with one of his own private security guards, who wisely chose that exact moment to take a step backward and drop his hands.
"This is ridiculous!" David snapped, his voice cracking slightly as he looked at the magistrate. "Your Honor, this is a private civil dispute—"
"Mr. Vance," the magistrate interrupted, his voice carrying the heavy weight of judicial authority. "We have received sworn affidavits, original bank wire transfer logs proving the systematic embezzlement of startup funds, and a notarized confession from your former administrative assistant detailing the interception and forgery of mail dating back four years."
David spun around to face me, his eyes wide with fury and disbelief. "You set me up. You were stalling."
"I was buying thirty seconds," I corrected, a cold smile touching my lips. "The moment you walked into this building bragging about having judges in your pocket, you forgot one fundamental rule, David: true power doesn't belong to the man with the most money. It belongs to the man who finally decides to stop running."
Marcus Sterling stepped forward, opening his briefcase and pulling out a warrant. "David Vance, you are being served with a federal injunction freezing all corporate and personal assets pending a criminal investigation into wire fraud, mail fraud, and extortion. Furthermore, any attempt to contact Rachel Ames or her children will result in immediate incarceration without bail."
The two police officers stepped past David, their movements crisp and professional. The heavy click of handcuffs echoing in the small room sounded like music.
David thrashed slightly as the cuffs were secured around his wrists, his face contorted in pure rage. He glared at me past the officers' shoulders, his voice spitting venom.
"You think you've won, Evan? You're broke! Without the firm, you're nothing! She’ll leave you the moment she realizes you have nothing left to give!"
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"I already have everything I ever lost," I said softly, looking past him at Rachel.
David was escorted out of the room in silence, the heavy footsteps fading down the stairwell until the shelter returned to a profound, breathtaking stillness.
