CHAPTER 4: THE FEDERAL INVASION
Within twenty minutes of Claire's encrypted call, the serene atmosphere of the luxury hotel was shattered by the arrival of multiple black SUVs. Armed federal marshals and digital forensics specialists poured through the grand entrance, sealing every exit and securing the perimeter.
Guests who had attempted to exit the ballroom were instructed to remain seated while federal agents locked down the entire facility. Confusion and panic rippled through the crowd as senior investigators moved with swift, military precision toward the private suites.
Daniel and Margaret were still standing in the hallway when Special Agent Vance stepped out of the private elevator flanked by armed tactical officers. The silver-haired investigator flashed federal credentials directly into Daniel’s pale, sweat-slicked face.
"Daniel Sterling and Margaret Sterling, you are both under federal arrest for wire fraud, conspiracy, and attempted premeditated murder," Agent Vance announced coldly. Daniel staggered backward, his knees buckling as he realized there was no escape hatch left in the floor.
"This is an outrage! You have no proof of any crime, we demand our attorneys right now!" Margaret shrieked, stepping forward with a furious, aristocratic glare.
Agent Vance didn't even blink at her screaming, signaling two tactical officers to slap heavy steel handcuffs around her wrists. "Your offshore bank accounts in the Cayman Islands were frozen thirty seconds ago, Mrs. Sterling," Vance replied evenly.
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As Margaret and Daniel were hauled down the corridor in heavy metal cuffs, the elevator doors opened to reveal Claire standing tall in her altered wedding dress. She looked at them not with sadness, but with absolute, terrifying indifference.
Daniel locked eyes with her for a fraction of a second, opening his mouth to stammer a pathetic excuse, but the words died in his throat. Claire turned her back on him completely, walking down the hall toward her daughter with the steady, unbreakable stride of a true queen.
