CHAPTER 4
By seven o'clock the following morning, the catastrophic collapse of the Vale family dynasty was the top trending story across every news network in America.
Live television broadcasts from outside the $15 million Beverly Hills estate showed federal agents loading massive crates of financial documents onto heavy transport trucks.
Reporters stood before the flashing red and blue lights, screaming updates to millions of viewers who watched in utter fascination as the untouchable Vales fell.
"In a shocking turn of events, billionaire CEO Adrian Vale and his father Graham Vale were arrested late last night on federal corruption charges," the news anchor announced. "Sources confirm that the aggressive takeover was orchestrated by Mercer Holdings, led by Adrian Vale's estranged wife, Claire Mercer."
Inside the high-security holding facility at the Los Angeles Federal Building, Adrian sat in a cold, metal interrogation room, wearing a plain yellow jumpsuit.
His polished image was entirely destroyed; his hair was messy, his eyes were bloodshot, and his hands trembled uncontrollably as his defense attorney paced the room.
"You don't understand!" Adrian yelled frantically at his attorney, slamming his open palms against the metal table. "She was just a quiet girl! She bought groceries, she organized dinners, she never said a word!"
"Well, that quiet girl just bought out your entire bank debt and signed your arrest warrant," his attorney replied flatly, tossing a stack of court filings onto the desk. "Claire Mercer owns your house, your cars, your corporate shares, and even the clothes you were wearing when they cuffed you."
The heavy steel door of the interrogation room unlocked, and Agent Miller stepped inside alongside Marcus Sterling, carrying a fresh set of legal demands.
Adrian jumped up from his chair, clutching the edge of the table as he stared desperately at my lead attorney.
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"Marcus! Please!" Adrian pleaded, his voice cracking with pathetic desperation. "Tell Claire I'm sorry! I was confused! My mother pushed me into this! Serena tricked me!"
"Save your breath, Mr. Vale," Marcus interrupted coldly, sitting down opposite him. "Mrs. Mercer isn't here to negotiate your forgiveness. She's here to inform you that your bail hearing has just been canceled."
