Chapter 10
Before Mark could recover his composure, the sliding doors parted once more, admitting two uniformed local police officers accompanied by a middle-aged man in a tailored gray suit carrying a leather briefcase.
"Officer Davies, City PD," the taller officer announced, stepping into the center of the room. He looked around the tense gathering, his gaze settling on Mark, who was visibly sweating now. "We received an urgent compliance alert from the federal financial crimes division regarding Miller & Associates. Who here is Mark Miller?"
Mark raised his chin defensively, trying to salvage his dignity. "I am Mark Miller. This is a private family matter being blown out of proportion by disgruntled employees and a hysterical wife."
The man in the gray suit stepped past the police officer, opening his briefcase and pulling out a folded document with official red seals. "Mr. Miller, I am Magistrate Vance—no relation to your compliance officer—and I am serving you with a federal freeze order on all personal, corporate, and trust assets associated with your name, as well as a restraining order protecting Clara Miller from any contact."
Evelyn shrieked, stepping toward the magistrate. "You can't do this! She attacked him! She hit him with a pan!"
"Ma'am, step back," Officer Davies warned, placing a hand on his holster. "Mr. Miller, you are also being detained for questioning regarding corporate embezzlement, wire fraud, and suspected conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. Turn around and put your hands behind your back."
The two private security guards brought by Mark instantly stepped back, abandoning their employer the moment local police and federal paperwork entered the equation. They knew a sinking ship when they saw one. Mark looked around the room with desperate eyes, finally locking gaze with Clara. There was no anger left in his expression—only a pathetic, pleading terror.
"Clara, please," Mark whispered, his voice cracking. "We're a family. Think of the baby. Drop the charges, and we can fix this."
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Clara looked at the man she had loved, trusted, and married three years ago. The realization hit her that she had never truly known him at all. He was a shell built of ambition, greed, and deception. She didn't feel hatred, nor did she feel pity. She felt only a profound, liberating emptiness.
"My baby and I are going to be just fine, Mark," Clara said steadily. "Without you."
