Chapter 7 - The Arrest on Wacker Drive
Two armed federal marshals, who had been waiting in the executive anteroom alongside Chicago police detectives, walked through the double doors.
"Adrian Sterling?" the lead marshal announced, holding up an official federal arrest warrant. "You are under arrest for federal wire fraud, embezzlement, and conspiracy to commit money laundering."
Adrian scrambled backward against the glass wall, weeping hysterically, his bespoke suit twisted and soaked with cold sweat. "Claire! Call them off! Use your grandfather's political connections! You can pay back the two million from your trust! Please, I beg you! I love you! I’ve always loved you!"
"You loved my family's fortune, Adrian," I whispered as the marshals grabbed his arms, pulling him to his feet and snapping heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists. "And you destroyed yourself trying to steal it."
They dragged him toward the elevator. As the doors closed, his screams echoed through the marble hallway, fading into the hum of the elevator shafts.
Madison Vale sat trembling in the corner, clutching her hospital wristband, staring at me with hollow, terrifying dread.
"Claire..." she whimpered, tears pouring down her cheeks. "What about me? What about baby Eli? He has nowhere to go. Adrian spent all my savings setting up that fake company."
I walked over to Madison, looking down at the woman who had smirked at me from that hospital bed twenty-four hours earlier.
"You are fired, Madison," I said, my voice completely devoid of hatred, carrying only cold, clinical justice. "The federal prosecutors will decide whether you face prison time alongside Adrian for signing those fraudulent wire documents. The penthouse in Lincoln Park will be seized by the corporation by noon tomorrow."
Madison began hyperventilating, grabbing at the arms of her chair. "You're throwing a newborn out onto the street?!"
"No," I replied softly, placing my hand over my stomach. "The corporation will seize the penthouse, but I will personally establish a modest child-support escrow trust for Eli. He will receive quality medical care, safe housing, and a good education."
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Madison blinked through her tears, stunned by the unexpected grace. "You... you would do that for him? After what we did to you?"
"The child is innocent, Madison," I said, turning toward the door. "He did not choose to have a monster for a father, or a home-wrecker for a mother. But you will never work in corporate logistics again, and you will never see a single dime of Whitmore money for yourself."
