Chapter 10
The piercing wail of approaching police sirens bounced off the concrete pillars of the underground parking structure, creating a wall of deafening sound. Three unmarked federal tactical SUVs plunged down the entrance ramp, their high-intensity LED light bars strobing violent shades of blue and white. The lead vehicle slammed to a halt directly behind Julian Vance’s armored town car, blocking his escape route completely.
Special Agent Marcus Vance leaped out of the lead SUV, weapon drawn and aimed squarely at Julian’s chest.
“Drop the weapon, Julian Vance! Federal agents! Drop it now!” Agent Vance bellowed over the roar of the idling engines.
Julian didn't panic. With calculated slowness, he lowered the suppressed pistol to the concrete floor and kicked it away toward the rear tire of his car. He raised his hands slowly, a smug, unbothered expression still plastered across his face.
“You’re a little late to the party, Agent,” Julian called out smoothly, interlocking his fingers behind his head. “I was just having a polite family reunion with my aging father-in-law.”
Marcus Sterling lunged past the federal agents before anyone could stop him. He grabbed Julian by the lapels of his expensive charcoal-gray suit and slammed him hard against the side of the armored town car. The metallic thud echoed through the garage.
“You murdered Catherine!” Marcus screamed, his voice cracking with raw, unmitigated grief. “You monster!”
Julian winced slightly from the impact, but his eyes remained ice-cold and mocking. “Calm down, Marcus. Emotions cloud judgment. Exactly why your grandfather lost control of the board in the first place.”
Agent Vance stepped in, pulling Marcus away with firm, professional authority. “Hold on, Mr. Sterling. Let us handle him. He’s going away for a very long time, and no amount of high-priced legal maneuvering will save him this time.”
Arthur walked slowly toward Julian, his cane clicking rhythmically against the concrete floor. He stopped just inches away from the handcuffed lawyer, looking deep into Julian’s unrepentant eyes.
“You thought you could steal my company, destroy my family, and bury the truth in the Mediterranean,” Arthur said quietly, his voice carrying a terrifying weight. “You underestimated one thing, Julian.”
Julian raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. “And what’s that, Arthur? Your failing heart?”
“My granddaughter,” Arthur replied firmly. “Lily remembers everything. And blood remembers what paper tries to hide.”
Julian’s smug facade finally cracked just a fraction. A flicker of genuine unease crossed his features before he quickly masked it behind a cynical sneer. “The kid was seven years old, Arthur. Who’s going to believe the testimony of a traumatized little girl?”
“A federal judge who just reviewed Catherine’s hidden ledger,” Agent Vance interjected, stepping forward to snap the steel cuffs tight around Julian’s wrists. “And a jury presented with your DNA recovered from the yacht’s stern railing ten years ago. We reopened the cold case this afternoon.”
Julian’s breath hitched. For the first time, he realized the trap was completely inescapable. The federal agents forced him down and bundled him into the back of the SUV, slamming the heavy door shut behind him.
May you like
As the convoy prepared to depart, Agent Vance pulled Arthur aside near the exit ramp. “Mr. Sterling, you should take Lily and head back to the main estate. The federal prosecutor wants to schedule formal depositions for tomorrow morning.”
Arthur nodded slowly, looking up at the cold autumn rain falling outside the garage entrance. “Make sure he never sees the light of day again, Agent.”
