Chapter 10 - Chad Attempts to Bribe His Way Out of Trouble
The sterile, fluorescent-lit holding room of the federal courthouse smelled faintly of disinfectant and stale coffee.
Chad sat across the scarred wooden table from the lead federal prosecutor, desperately trying to formulate a strategy.
He leaned forward, lowering his voice into a conspiratorial whisper despite the recording devices on the wall.
“Listen... we're reasonable men. I can transfer five million dollars from a dormant Swiss account into your private holdings,” Chad offered.
The prosecutor didn't even blink, staring at the fallen executive with absolute professional contempt.
“Are you attempting to bribe a federal law enforcement officer while sitting in a holding cell?” the prosecutor asked calmly.
Chad blinked rapidly, suddenly realizing the catastrophic stupidity of what he had just proposed.
“I... no, I didn't mean it like that! It was just a misunderstanding, a figure of speech!” Chad stammered frantically.
“Add bribery and obstruction of justice to the felony indictment list,” the prosecutor instructed a stenographer nearby.
Chad slumped back in his chair, a look of utter despair washing over his pale, exhausted face.
Every move he made to escape only tied the legal noose tighter around his neck.
“You don't understand... I built this company! I made millions for this country!” Chad cried out in frustration.
“You broke the laws of this country, and now you will answer to them just like any other citizen,” the prosecutor stated firmly.
The door opened, and two federal marshals stepped in to escort him into the main courtroom for his arraignment.
His tailored navy blue pinstripe suit was wrinkled beyond recognition, mirroring his ruined life.
As he walked into the packed courtroom, flashbulbs blinded him from the press gallery overhead.
He caught a glimpse of federal reporters whispering notes and shaking their heads in disgust.
There was no escape, no executive parachute, and no mercy waiting for him in this temple of law.
He stood before the federal judge, his knees shaking uncontrollably under the crushing weight of reality.
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The judge read the endless list of charges without emotion, setting no bail due to extreme flight risk.
Chad was remanded directly to federal custody, his chapter as an elite executive permanently closed.
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