Chapter 4
The morning sun filtered through the dusty blinds of the precinct interrogation room, casting harsh horizontal shadows across the metal table. Julian sat on one side, his posture rigid, his face carved from stone. He had spent the last two hours answering questions, signing affidavits, and turning over every piece of digital data the penthouse security system had recorded. The blinking red eye of the ceiling camera had delivered its silent testimony directly to the Chicago Police Department, capturing the entire sequence of events with unflinching, high-definition clarity. The slow-motion collapse, the brutal push from Victoria’s maroon-clad arms, and the chilling verbal threat had all been preserved for the detectives to analyze.
Detective Miller, a veteran investigator with tired eyes and a perpetually rumpled gray suit, slid a manila folder across the table. Inside lay a set of glossy still photographs extracted directly from the video footage. One image showed Victoria’s face twisted in an ugly mask of hatred, her hands outstretched against Elena’s white nightgown. Another showed the devastating moment of impact.
"We picked her up at her downtown townhouse an hour ago," Detective Miller said, leaning back in his chair and sipping from a paper cup of lukewarm black coffee. "She didn't resist. In fact, she was entirely too calm. Said she has a battery of high-priced defense attorneys ready to argue reckless endangerment and self-defense."
Julian stared down at the photographs. The sheer absurdity of Victoria’s anticipated defense made his jaw clench until his teeth ached. "Self-defense?" Julian’s voice was dangerously quiet, carrying a cold, sharp edge. "Elena was six months pregnant, wearing a nightgown, and standing in her own living room. What possible threat could she have posed?"
"None," Miller admitted bluntly. "The video proves premeditation, or at the very least, extreme depraved indifference. We are charging her with aggravated battery of a pregnant person and unlawful termination of a pregnancy. But you know how these corporate types operate, Mr. Vance. Her legal team is already filing motions to suppress the video on jurisdictional privacy grounds."
Julian looked up, meeting the detective’s steady gaze. "The footage was recorded inside my private residence with my explicit consent as the homeowner. They can try whatever legal gymnastics they want, but that video is going into court."
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"It is," Miller agreed, tapping the manila folder. "Which is why you need to be very careful over the next few days. Victoria Sterling isn't just some disgruntled acquaintance. She’s the primary shareholder of Sterling-Vance Holdings, and she controls more proxy votes on your board than you might realize. This isn't just a domestic dispute anymore, Mr. Vance. It’s a corporate war, and blood has already been spilled."
Julian stood up, grabbing his coat. He knew Miller was right. Victoria had engineered this destruction with calculated precision, targeting not only his family but his entire legacy. And he was going to make sure she paid for every single piece of broken glass.
