CHAPTER 5
Outside the study, the muffled sounds of classical music stopped abruptly as the sirens of multiple LAPD patrol cars began echoing down the gated Beverly Hills street.
Guests in the main ballroom began murmuring in confusion as dark-suited private security guards hired by Christopher moved to secure every exit point around the mansion.
Juliette panicked, backing toward the balcony doors as she realized the security team was no longer obeying her orders.
"Estelle, do something!" Juliette wept, her voice high and breathless. "You promised me two million dollars and the Uptown condo if I helped you clear the way!"
"I promised you a share of an estate that you were too stupid to help secure," Estelle retorted, not bothering to look at her co-conspirator.
Christopher stepped forward, using his physical presence to block Estelle from accessing the heavy wall safe hidden behind the oil portrait of his grandfather.
"The police aren't just coming for Juliette, Mother," Christopher said quietly, his voice filled with absolute, unshakeable certainty. "They are coming with a search warrant for Richard's medical records from the private clinic in Bel Air."
Estelle’s hand froze mid-air, her knuckles turning white against the velvet box as the full weight of her exposure began to sink in.
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"You brought the federal authorities into a Pierce family matter?" Estelle gasped, her voice trembling with rising, unadulterated fury.
"You tried to murder a six-year-old child in cold blood," Christopher answered, stepping toward the hallway as the heavy front doors of the mansion were pushed open by uniformed officers. "You stopped being my mother the second you let her sink to the bottom of that pool."
