Chapter 8
Ethan picked up the pen with shaking fingers, signing his name at the bottom of the surrender agreement.
Marcus retrieved the document, sliding it neatly into his leather briefcase before locking the clasp.
"A wise decision, Mr. Miller," Marcus noted coldly. "Your formal arraignment begins in twenty minutes."
Clara stood up from her chair, smoothing down her white maternity jacket with deliberate elegance.
"Goodbye, Ethan," Clara said softly, setting the telephone receiver back onto its wall hook.
Ethan banged his fist against the glass partition, crying out as the guards grabbed his arms to escort him away.
"Clara! Don't leave me here! Clara!" Ethan wailed, his voice echoing down the sterile concrete corridor.
Clara turned her back on him, walking out of the visitation center without looking back even once.
Outside the courthouse steps, dozens of news reporters and camera operators waited behind blue police barricades.
Paparazzi flashes erupted as Clara stepped into the bright morning sunlight alongside her father.
A reporter shouted over the crowd: "Mrs. Vance! Is it true you are taking over as Chief Operating Officer today?!"
Clara paused at the top of the stone steps, turning toward the sea of microphones gathered before her.
May you like
"Today marks a fresh start for Vance Enterprises," Clara announced clearly into the news microphones.
"We have removed the elements that threatened our integrity, and my focus is now entirely on the future."
