Chapter 5: Unraveling the Web**
Julian’s arrogant demeanor cracked, replaced by sheer panic. "Mom, you said these accounts were untraceable! You said Victor would never come back from Singapore!"
"Shut your mouth, Julian!" Evelyn shrieked, slamming her palms onto the table. She turned her icy gaze onto Victor. "You ungrateful fool. Everything I did was to preserve the purity of this family’s legacy! That low-class woman would have dragged our name through the gutter. I protected your inheritance!"
"You starved your own granddaughter," Victor replied, his voice devoid of any warmth. "You left a four-year-old child to freeze in a condemned basement while you spent her trust fund on designer pearls and high-stakes roulette."
Agent Cole stepped forward, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from his belt. "Julian Williams, you are under arrest for grand larceny, wire fraud, and interstate extortion. You have the right to remain silent."
Julian backed toward the window, knocking over his leather chair. "Wait! It wasn't just me! Mother arranged the intimidation! She hired private investigators to harass Clara and bribed the municipal housing inspectors to condemn her apartments!"
"Take him away," Agent Cole ordered. The federal marshals secured Julian’s wrists behind his back and led him out past the stunned executive staff.
Evelyn stood frozen, watching her favorite son being dragged toward the elevator bank. She turned to Victor, her voice cracking for the first time in her life. "Victor... you wouldn't destroy your own mother. Think of what the media will say. The scandal will ruin our stock price."
Victor rose from his seat, towering over her. "The stock price is the least of your concerns, Evelyn. You have twenty-four hours to vacate the estate."
"You can't evict me! The Williams Manor is my home!"
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"The manor is owned entirely by the Williams Family Charitable Trust," Victor said softly. "The very trust I am liquidating this afternoon to establish the Clara Miller Foundation for Displaced Mothers and Children."
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