Chapter 10: The Interrogation Room
In the cold, sterile basement of the federal holding facility across town, Hailey sat handcuffed to a stainless-steel table. The glittering white ballgown had been replaced by an orange inmate jumpsuit that swallowed her slender frame. The diamond necklace was gone, replaced by a cold metal identification band around her wrist.
The heavy steel door banged open, and two federal agents walked in, followed by a tall, immaculately dressed man in a dark tailored suit—Marcus Vance, senior legal counsel for the Kingston conglomerate.
Marcus pulled out a chair opposite Hailey and sat down, placing a thick leather briefcase on the table. He opened it slowly, sliding a single document across the metal surface.
"Sign the confession, Hailey," Marcus said in a smooth, emotionless voice. "Detailing every financial transfer, every communication with Richard Vance, and every fabricated incident."
Hailey stared at the paper, her lower lip trembling. "If I sign this, I'll spend the next twenty years in a federal penitentiary. Richard promised me protection! He said his syndicate would take care of me!"
Marcus let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Richard Vance has already released a public statement disavowing you. According to his legal team, you were a rogue employee who forged documents and acted entirely on your own accord. They have already severed all financial channels connected to your name."
Hailey gasped, the breath rushing out of her lungs as betrayal washed over her. "He... he promised..."
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"People like Richard Vance don't make promises; they make disposable tools," Marcus said calmly, sliding a pen across the table. "Your uncle is currently burning every record linking him to your operation. Your only hope of seeing daylight before middle age is full cooperation with the Kingston legal team."
Hailey looked at the pen, then at the federal agents standing impassum behind Marcus. She realized with crushing clarity that she was utterly alone. There was no fortune waiting, no loyal allies coming to rescue her, and no clever lie left that could save her from the abyss she had dug with her own hands.
