Chapter 7 - The Downfall of Chloe
While Gabriel and Patricia languished in county jail, phase three of my retaliation was executed against the woman who thought she could enjoy my money behind my back: Chloe Miller.
At 2:00 PM on a rainy Thursday, Chloe sat in her luxury high-rise apartment in downtown Atlanta, pouring herself a glass of wine. She had been ignoring Gabriel's desperate phone calls from jail for two weeks, planning to pack her designer bags and flee to London before the legal storm reached her.
Suddenly, three loud, authoritative knocks echoed at her front door.
Chloe adjusted her silk robe and opened the door, expecting a delivery driver.
Instead, she was confronted by two officers from the Financial Crimes Division and a representative from the Internal Revenue Service.
"Chloe Miller?" the lead investigator asked, holding up his badge.
Chloe's heart skipped a beat. "Yes...? Can I help you?"
"We have a warrant for your arrest issued by the State of Georgia," the officer announced, stepping inside her apartment. "You are being charged with grand larceny, corporate embezzlement, and tax evasion exceeding six hundred thousand dollars."
Chloe dropped her wine glass, watching it shatter on the marble floor. "Embezzlement?! That's crazy! Gabriel gave me that money! He said it was his corporate bonus!"
"The money belonged to the Richard Vance Family Trust, Miss Miller," the IRS agent interjected coldly. "Gabriel Vance forged his wife's signature to transfer those funds into your personal account. Under federal law, you are considered an active co-conspirator to grand theft."
"Wait! No! I didn't know!" Chloe cried out, stepping back as the female officer grabbed her arms and snapped handcuffs around her wrists. "I'll give the money back! I'll give the jewelry back! Please don't arrest me!"
"You'll have the opportunity to make that offer to the prosecutor," the officer said, hauling her toward the door. "Search team, move in and secure all luxury goods, electronics, and financial ledgers."
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Four forensic officers entered the apartment with empty storage bins, systematically clearing out the luxury handbags, diamond necklaces, and expensive watches Gabriel had bought her with my stolen inheritance.
By the end of the day, Chloe Miller was booked into the same detention facility as Patricia Vance, assigned to a cell right across the hall from her former boss's mother.
