Chapter 4 - THE LEGAL TRAP
The front gates outside buzzed loudly,
breaking the heavy tension in the dining room.
Two uniformed Boston police officers stood outside the glass entryway,
accompanied by a tall man in a tailored charcoal suit.
Arthur pressed the intercom button on the wall.
“State your business,
” Arthur commanded.
“Detective Miller,
Boston PD,
along with Attorney Sterling,
” the voice replied clearly.
“We are responding to a report of grand larceny,
corporate embezzlement,
and fraudulent asset concealment.
”
Victoria’s face drained of every trace of color.
“Larceny?” Victoria stammered.
“This is a civil domestic dispute,
you have no right to involve the police!”
“Grand larceny involving corporate accounts across state lines crosses into federal jurisdiction,
Ms.
Vance,
” Attorney Sterling replied as he walked through the front door,
escorted by Marcus.
“My name is Richard Sterling,
Arthur’s eldest nephew and senior partner at Sterling & Associates.
”
“And we have compiled an airtight criminal complaint against both you and Daniel.
”
Richard placed a heavy leather briefcase on the dining table and popped open the brass latches.
He extracted several official documents stamped with court seals.
“Here is a warrant for the immediate seizure of all digital assets,
luxury vehicles,
and real estate acquired using embezzled funds,
” Richard announced,
laying the papers out neatly.
“Including the Miami condo.
”
“Including the designer handbags currently sitting in Victoria’s walk-in closet.
”
“And including Daniel’s academic pension fund.
”
Detective Miller stepped further into the room,
his eyes fixed on Daniel.
“Daniel Sterling,
you have the right to remain silent,
” Detective Miller recited smoothly.
“Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
”
“Dad,
please!” Daniel cried out,
scrambling backward as Detective Miller approached him with steel handcuffs gleaming under the chandelier lights.
“Dad,
tell them to stop,
I’m your son!”
Arthur turned his back to Daniel,
staring resolutely out the large bay window into the dark courtyard.
“My son died the moment he betrayed his vows and stole from the woman who sacrificed her entire career for our family,
” Arthur said coldly.
“Take him away.
”
Victoria watched in horror as the steel cuffs clicked around Daniel’s wrists.
She realized with sudden,
crushing certainty that she was next.
“This is a conspiracy!” Victoria screamed,
lunging toward the front door.
Marcus effortlessly blocked her path,
folding his muscular arms across his chest.
“Where do you think you're going,
Victoria?” Marcus asked smoothly.
May you like
“The police have a warrant for your arrest as well.
”
