Chapter 6 - The Handcuffs and the Heirloom
The cold steel of the handcuffs clicked shut around Julian’s wrists with a sharp, metallic finality. Yet, despite being detained by the lead homicide investigator, Julian did not look like a guilty man trapped by his own crimes. He stood tall in his navy blue suit, his red tie perfectly straight, projecting an aura of supreme, unshakeable confidence that unnerved even the seasoned detective.
Detective Miller frowned, looking down at his notepad before glancing back at the elite couple. "Mr. Vance, your name was flagged by the state forensics lab an hour ago. The autopsy report on Senator Marcus Vance conclusively shows a lethal dose of synthetic digitalis administered hours before his fatal stroke. And your private corporate email account was used to purchase the compound online."
Clara gasped, stumbling backward until the edge of the mahogany desk stopped her fall. She stared at her husband in absolute horror. All this time, while she had been accused of plotting against the baby and poisoning Julian, Julian had been systematically orchestrating the murder of his own uncle to seize absolute control of the family dynasty.
"My corporate account was hacked, Detective," Julian said smoothly, his voice devoid of panic. He turned his head slightly, locking his piercing eyes directly onto Clara. "My wife has had access to my private login credentials for years. She managed the campaign's digital infrastructure. It wouldn't take much for someone with her technical expertise to frame me while simultaneously attempting to poison our household."
"You lying bastard!" Clara screamed, lunging forward with her nails bared, completely abandoning her polished facade.
Before she could reach him, two patrol officers stepped firmly between them, pinning Clara’s arms to her sides.
"Ma'am, step back or you will be restrained as well," Detective Miller warned, his hand resting firmly on his weapon. He turned his attention back to Julian. "We have digital forensics on the way to trace the IP address of the purchase. If it leads back to this estate's router, it won't matter whose login was used."
Julian chuckled softly, a low, arrogant sound. "By all means, Detective. Check the router. But you might want to ask the nanny what she saw in the hallway thirty minutes before you kicked down the front door."
All eyes in the room instantly turned toward the corner.
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Elena stood frozen, holding the baby tightly, her face pale as death. She had just realized that Julian wasn't just offering her as a witness—he was setting her up to take the fall for the murder.
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