Chapter 4 - The Tides Turn
Panic swept through the grand ballroom like a toxic wildfire.
The very people who had stood by in cruel silence while a helpless little girl was verbally abused now scrambled frantically to distance themselves from Victoria. The fake friends who had been laughing at her jokes just minutes prior backed away as if she carried a contagious disease, whispering bitter curses under their breath.
"Eleanor... please, let's talk about this like reasonable adults," Victoria’s husband pleaded, practically tumbling forward as he rushed toward Eleanor. Sweat was dripped onto his designer collar. "We had no idea it was you! We can settle this privately! We can give you a seat on the board—anything you want!"
"You didn't care who she was when she was just a defenseless child in a pink dress," Eleanor replied, her voice ringing with absolute, unyielding truth. "You didn't care about justice or mercy when you thought we were powerless. You only care now because your money is gone."
Before the husband could say another word, the grand double doors of the ballroom were slammed open.
A dozen federal agents in dark suits marched in with practiced precision, led by a senior investigator holding a stamped federal warrant. The heavy thud of their boots signaled the ultimate end of an era.
"Victoria Vance? Richard Vance?" the lead officer announced, his voice booming over the commotion. "You are both under arrest for grand corporate fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and conspiracy."
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Victoria spun around wildly, reaching out her manicured hands toward the crowd of elites. "Help me! Marcus! Sophia! We've known each other for twenty years! Do something!"
Not a single soul moved. Her closest friends turned their backs on her, looking away in quiet disgust.
