Chapter 15 - The Collapse of the Coven
Before Preston could even scream, the heavy double doors at the back of the live television studio burst open.
Four uniformed federal agents, accompanied by two detectives from the New York Police Department, marched down the aisle straight toward the stage.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Julian shouted, jumping to his feet, panic wild in his eyes.
"Julian Hale and Evelyn Hale," the lead agent announced into the broadcast microphones, pulling out a pair of steel handcuffs. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, grand larceny, and federal tax evasion. You have the right to remain silent."
"No! Get away from me!" Evelyn shrieked, kicking and flailing as an agent snapped the cuffs onto her wrists. "Preston! Do something! Save me!"
Preston sat paralyzed in his chair, watching in utter horror as his mother was dragged off the stage kicking and screaming, while Julian was slammed face-first onto the studio desk and handcuffed.
The news anchor sat completely speechless, his mouth agape as the live cameras captured the unprecedented drama unfolding before millions of viewers.
Lena gracefully stood up from her chair, smoothed her scarlet dress, and looked down at Preston, who was trembling uncontrollably in his seat.
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"You wanted the world to see your story, Preston," Lena said, her voice dropping into a soft, deadly whisper. "Now they have."
She turned and walked off the stage, her high heels clicking rhythmically against the floor, leaving Preston sitting alone in the blinding studio spotlights as the world watched him crumble into absolute nothingness.
