Chapter 15 - The Final KnockThe rain was pouring in relentless sheets over the small Indiana suburb when unmarked federal vehicles pulled up to Gloria's modest townhouse.

Sebastian was sitting at the kitchen table, staring blankly at a cold cup of instant coffee, when heavy, thunderous pounding echoed against the front door.

"Sebastian! Open the door! Police!" a harsh voice commanded from outside.

Sebastian jumped, knocking his coffee mug across the table. It shattered against the linoleum, spreading dark liquid across the floor like a spreading stain.

"Mom!" Sebastian panicked, looking toward the hallway. "Mom, answer it! Tell them we're leaving!"

Gloria shuffled out of the bedroom, her face pale, her hair unbrushed, looking every bit of her seventy years. She pulled the door open before the marshals could kick it in.

Two federal agents stood on the porch, water dripping from their heavy raincoats, their badges gleaming under the dim porch light.

"Sebastian Carter?" the lead agent asked, stepping past Gloria without waiting for an invitation.

"I—I'm Sebastian," he stammered, backing away until his spine hit the kitchen counter. "What is this about? I didn't do anything! It was Alyssa! She handled the paperwork!"

"Sebastian Carter, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, corporate extortion, and interstate financial theft," the agent stated coldly, stepping forward and clicking the steel handcuffs around Sebastian's wrists.

"No! No, wait! You don't understand!" Sebastian screamed, thrashing as the agents spun him around and pushed him toward the door. "My wife! My wife owns Carter Holdings! She can fix this! VICKY!"

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His cries echoed off the cheap apartment walls as the agents dragged him out into the pouring rain, shoving him into the back of an unmarked cruiser.

Gloria stood on the wet porch, watching the tail lights of the police car disappear down the empty street. She didn't scream. She didn't curse. She simply sank down onto the wooden step, staring into the gray, unforgiving rain.