CHAPTER 10: THE ARREST
The grand driveway of Sterling Manor was illuminated by flashing red and blue lights.
Reporters and news vans were already beginning to gather at the iron gates, having caught the police radio dispatch. The scandal of the century was unfolding: Chicago’s most prominent real estate titans arrested for orchestrating the theft of a newborn infant.
Victoria was escorted out in handcuffs, a luxury trench coat draped over her shoulders to hide her wrists. Her jaw was set in stone, refusing to look at the flashing cameras, her eyes burning with bitter resentment.
Richard walked out without resistance. As he passed Elena, who was standing on the porch wrapped in a warm blanket provided by the paramedics, he paused.
“He is a good boy,” Richard murmured quietly. “He deserves a real mother.”
“He has one,” Elena replied softly.
Sergeant Ramirez approached Elena, holding a tablet. “Ms. Vance, Child Protective Services is here for the mandatory verification protocol. Because of the falsified documents, we need to complete an emergency custody verification hearing at the county courthouse this afternoon.”
Elena felt a momentary pang of fear. “They aren’t taking him from me, are they?”
“Not if this DNA evidence stands up in front of the judge,” Ramirez reassured her with a kind smile. “You’re coming with us to the precinct. You and your boy are under state protection now.”
May you like
Holding Leo tight against her chest, Elena stepped into the back of the police cruiser, watching the gates of Sterling Manor fade into the rearview mirror.
---
