flash
Thomas stood frozen in the shadow of the arched entryway, his fingers gripping the box of the limited-edition Italian toy car so tightly the cardboard began to crease. The expensive gadget felt heavy and dead in his palm, completely useless against the vibrant, chaotic warmth still lingering in the air. / Chapter 14 / 20

Chapter 14 - Turning the TablesJulian stared at the flash drive as if it were a venomous snake. He tried to maintain his composure, forcing a tight, nervous laugh. "A bluff. Pure fiction. You have no legal jurisdiction to—"

"I don't need jurisdiction," a deep, authoritative voice boomed from the open doorway.

Step into the foyer strode Special Agent Miller of the FBI’s White-Collar Crime Division, flanked by two armed federal officers. Agent Miller flashed a silver badge directly into Julian’s face.

"Mr. Vance, you're consulting on stolen assets linked to an active federal racketeering investigation," Agent Miller announced smoothly. "Step away from the table with your hands where we can see them."

Julian’s knees practically buckled. He cast a desperate, panicked look toward the door, but the federal officers were already moving in, clamping steel handcuffs around his wrists with a sharp, metallic click.

"You... you set me up," Julian hissed as he was hauled backward toward the exit.

"No, Julian," Thomas said calmly, stepping forward to stand beside Clara. "You just walked right into the trap you spent a lifetime building."

As the heavy oak doors closed behind Julian and the federal agents, a heavy wave of silence settled over the foyer. The immediate threat was neutralized, but the reality of the legal battle ahead hung heavy in the air.

Clara let out a long, shaky breath, her shoulders sagging slightly as the adrenaline wore off.

Thomas turned to her, his heart swelling with a deep, overwhelming wave of gratitude and respect. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "You never cease to amaze me, Clara. You saved us—again."

Clara looked up, a soft, tired smile gracing her lips. "I told you, Thomas. We protect each other now."

From behind them, a small pair of arms wrapped tightly around Thomas’s leg. They looked down to see Lucas staring up with bright, shining eyes.

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