Chapter 6 - The Unraveling in Detention
Back at the county holding facility, the harsh fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting a sickly greenish glow across the stainless steel interrogation table.
Victoria Collins sat rigidly in her chair, her designer mink coat clutched tightly around her shoulders as if she were freezing to death. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her makeup smeared from furious tears. Across the table sat her high-priced defense attorney, Marcus Vance, who was rubbing his temples with a look of utter despair.
"Tell me this is a nightmare," Victoria whispered fiercely, slamming her palm onto the metal table. "Tell me you can buy off the judge, Marcus! You're the best corporate lawyer in the state!"
Marcus sighed heavily, sliding a thick stack of federal audit documents across the table. "Victoria, listen to me very carefully. You aren't facing a civil dispute. The U.S. Attorney's office has taken over the case directly. Alexander Hayes didn't just walk into your house tonight on a whim; he coordinated a six-month federal investigation into the embezzlement of Samantha’s trust fund."
Victoria’s jaw dropped. "Embezzlement? That money was used to maintain our lifestyle! To keep up appearances for society!"
"You drained over twelve million dollars in liquid assets and real estate holdings that legally belonged to an eighteen-year-old orphan," Marcus said bluntly, his voice devoid of any warmth. "Furthermore, the state child welfare division has retroactively classified Samantha’s treatment under your roof as severe domestic abuse and forced labor. The judge has denied bail. All your assets are frozen."
The door to the interrogation room swung open with a sharp metallic click.
A tall, sharp-featured federal prosecutor stepped inside, dropping a heavy manila folder onto the table right in front of Victoria.
"Mrs. Collins," the prosecutor said coldly. "Your daughters have retained separate counsel and are currently cooperating with the district attorney's office to pin the entirety of the financial forgery on you in exchange for reduced misdemeanor charges."
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Victoria froze. A deep, hollow shock settled into her bones. "Olivia and Charlotte... betrayed me?"
"Survival instinct runs in the family, it seems," the prosecutor replied indifferently. "You're looking at a minimum of ten to fifteen years in federal prison. Session starts at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."
