Chapter 5 - THE ESCAPE ATTEMPT
Panic erupted through the grand ballroom as the words 'federal marshals' echoed from mouth to mouth among the elite guests.
Wealthy patrons scrambled toward the double doors, abandoning their luxury handbags, half-empty champagne flutes, and expensive coats in the rush.
Eleanor looked around wildly, realizing that the politicians, judges, and titans of industry who had flattered her minutes ago were abandoning her.
"Get the car to the rear service entrance immediately!" Eleanor barked at her assistant, backing away toward the kitchen doors.
"There is no car, Eleanor," Clara said, walking casually behind her with the grace of a panther hunting its prey.
"Ethan bought out your private chauffeur company two hours ago... your driver is currently delivering your ledger books to the FBI," Clara revealed.
Eleanor froze in her tracks, her silver hair coming undone as sweat broke out across her heavily powdered forehead.
"You... you planned this for years," Eleanor whispered, her voice finally breaking under the weight of total realization.
"Twenty-six years, Eleanor," Clara corrected, stopping just three feet away from the trembling matriarch.
"Every smile, every insult I endured in your mansion, every slap you delivered to my face... I counted every single second," Clara added.
Behind them, the heavy brass doors of the main ballroom burst open with a resounding impact that shook the glass chandeliers.
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Four federal agents in tactical vests swept into the room, their badges gleaming under the bright ambient light.
***
