Chapter 5
The security guards immediately dropped their hands away from their weapons, stepping back and raising their palms in surrender. "This is an outrage! I demand to speak to the state governor!" Eleanor screamed, thrashing her emerald gown as two marshals stepped forward.
"Your political connections just dissolved under federal jurisdiction, Mrs. Vance," Marshal Thomas stated coldly, snapping the steel cuffs onto her wrists. Eleanor was dragged backward, her manicured shoes scraping uselessly against the polished wooden deck of the luxury patio.
She glared at Clara with eyes full of absolute venom, her voice echoing into the night air as she was led away. "I will destroy you, Clara! You will never see a single penny of this empire!" she shrieked before disappearing into the shadows.
Silence descended upon the patio once more, broken only by the gentle rustle of the surrounding trees and Lily’s soft breathing. Daniel stood paralyzed near the edge of the terrace, looking like a broken man whose entire world had been ripped away in seconds.
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He slowly walked toward Clara, his light grey suit jacket wrinkled, his navy tie hanging slightly crooked against his collar. "Clara... can you ever forgive me for being such a weak, pathetic coward?" Daniel whispered, his voice trembling with genuine despair.
Clara looked at him, her gaze as cold and unforgiving as winter frost on a windowpane.
