Chapter 8 - THE SHIELD OF THE PACKPanic rippled through the trustees. Whispers erupted around the table as directors frantically reviewed the financial documents flashing on their personal tablets. Two of Edmund’s closest allies instantly pushed their chairs back, distancing themselves from him as if he were carrying a plague.
"This meeting is adjourned!" Edmund shouted, losing all his polished composure as he lunged toward the exit doors. "You have no proof! This is a kangaroo court!"
Before Edmund could reach the brass handle, the heavy doors opened from the outside. Two armed federal marshals and Julian’s private security detail stepped into the doorway, blocking his escape completely.
"Federal embezzlement, corporate fraud, conspiracy, and fabricating evidence to subvert a legal guardianship," Julian recited coldly, standing up to his full height. "Take him away, boys. Make sure he has a very comfortable cell—right next to Marcus Vance."
As Edmund was handcuffed and dragged screaming from the boardroom, his expensive suit rumpled and his aristocratic veneer shattered into dust, the heavy silence in the room returned.
Julian turned his gaze toward the corner of the room where young Finn had quietly slipped inside, holding onto Briar’s leather lead.
The ten-year-old boy looked up at his father, his eyes wide, his shoulders finally relaxing from the unbearable weight he had been carrying for twenty-four hours.
"Daddy... does Briar get to stay?" Finn asked, his voice trembling slightly.
May you like
Julian walked over, knelt down on one knee in front of his son, and gently ruffled the boy’s hair.
"Not only does Briar stay, Finn," Julian said softly, a warm, genuine smile breaking across his stern face. "He’s officially getting a promotion to Head of Security for the entire Croft estate."
