Chapter 6 - The Total Siege
"Sign the papers, Isaac," I said again, my voice ringing clear and strong above their screaming match.
Isaac broke away from Clover, panting heavily. He turned back to the table where Julian’s divorce and asset surrender papers lay.
His hands shook so badly he could barely hold the pen Julian handed him.
"Flora... please," Isaac wept, tears finally streaming down his cheeks as he looked up at me from his knees. "Leave me something... please! If I sign this, I have nothing! I'll be bankrupt! I'll have to live on the street!"
"You had a loyal wife who spent three years taking care of you, Isaac," I said softly, watching him sign his name on the first document. "You had a quiet life, a noble family connection, and unconditional love. But you wanted power. You wanted cruelty. You wanted to make me 'learn my place.'"
I leaned down, taking the signed document from his hand as he completed the final signature.
"My place is at the top," I whispered into his ear. "Yours is in the dust."
Julian picked up the signed folder, checked every signature with meticulous care, and nodded to Noah. "Everything is legally binding and finalized. The Sterling family now owns ninety percent of all Vance corporate and personal assets."
Noah turned toward the glass doors of the ballroom.
Outside, the sirens were finally wailing. Red and blue lights flashed through the long brick driveway as four police cruisers brought state troopers to the front doors.
Arthur Vance sat up, a desperate glint of hope returning to his eyes. "The police! Finally! You can't hold us hostage! I'm reporting you for extortion!"
The heavy doors opened, and four uniformed police officers marched into the room, led by a tall, stern-looking captain.
Arthur scrambled to his feet, pointing wildly at Noah and my brothers. "Captain! Arrest these men! They invaded my home! They forced my son to sign away our property!"
The police captain didn't even look at Arthur. He walked straight up to Leo and Julian, bowing his head slightly in respect.
"Mr. Sterling," the captain said politely to Julian. "We received the federal warrant you issued through the District Attorney’s office."
Julian pointed his silver pen at Isaac and Arthur.
"Captain, please arrest Isaac Vance for felony assault, battery, and grand theft forgery. And arrest Arthur Vance for corporate tax fraud and bribery of municipal officials. The evidence files have already been uploaded to your department's server."
The captain nodded. He turned to his officers. "Handcuff them."
"WHAT?!" Isaac screamed as two officers grabbed his arms, forcing him down onto the marble floor. "No! You can't arrest me! Flora, tell them to stop! FLORA!"
Arthur was pulled from his chair, his hands cuffed tightly behind his back as he yelled curses at the police.
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Wendy fell to her knees, sobbing hysterically as her husband and son were dragged out of the ballroom in steel chains. Clover tried to slip out behind them, but two officers blocked her path, informing her that she was being detained for corporate espionage and fraud.
Within five minutes, the ballroom was empty once again, save for me and my five brothers.
