Chapter 8 - The Trap Springs
Julian watched the news,
Seeing the reports about the Winthrop family’s desperate attempt to clear their name.
They were accusing him of embezzlement,
Of fraud,
Of every crime they had committed themselves.
It was pathetic,
But it was also dangerous.
He knew they would try to arrest him,
To frame him,
To silence him.
But he was ready.
He had encrypted everything,
Moved his assets,
And prepared for the inevitable.
He was sitting in his office,
Drinking a glass of water,
When the door burst open.
Three men in suits entered,
Their faces grim.
"Julian Vance?"
One of them asked,
Showing a badge.
"You're under arrest for embezzlement,
Fraud,
And conspiracy to commit a felony."
Julian didn't move.
He looked at them,
His expression calm.
"I’ve been expecting you,"
He said.
"Do you have a warrant?"
"We have a warrant,"
The officer said,
Handcuffing him.
"You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
Julian didn't say a word.
He let them lead him out of the office,
Down the hall,
And into the elevator.
He felt a sense of relief.
He had reached the climax of his plan.
The Winthrops had taken the bait.
They had tried to frame him,
And in doing so,
They had committed another crime.
They had tried to obstruct justice,
To intimidate a witness,
To frame an innocent man.
And he had recorded it all.
He had the evidence.
He had the proof.
He was heading to prison,
But he was going there as the victor.
He sat in the back of the police car,
Watching the city pass by.
He saw the Winthrop estate in the distance,
The lights shining in the dark.
It looked small,
Fragile,
And temporary.
He smiled,
A genuine,
Content smile.
He had won.
The Winthrops would fall,
And he would be the one to orchestrate their final descent.
May you like
He was the architect,
And his masterpiece was almost complete.
