Chapter 10
The following morning, national news networks and financial tabloids erupted with the explosive story of Victoria Sterling's arrest.
WALL STREET SOCIALITE ARRESTED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE AFTER HUSBAND DISCOVERS SECRET KITCHEN SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE.
Inside her holding cell at the Manhattan precinct, Victoria sat on a metal bench, staring blankly at the graffiti-covered concrete wall.
Her high-priced defense attorney arrived thirty minutes later, looking grim as he slid a thick folder across the stainless steel table.
"Victoria, we have a catastrophic problem; the prosecution released a three-minute teaser of the smart home video to the media," her lawyer said.
"Get a gag order! Sue them for defamation!" Victoria shrieked, slamming her cuffed hands against the visiting table in blind panic.
"You can't sue for defamation when the video clearly shows you forcing a six-year-old child to eat from a dog bowl," her lawyer retorted bluntly.
"The public outcry is massive; even your own parents have disowned you and refused to post your bail," the attorney added coldly.
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Victoria buried her face in her hands, finally realizing that her greed, cruelty, and narcissism had built her an inescapable prison.
The social empire she had clawed her way into was gone, replaced by public humiliation, criminal trials, and decades behind bars.
