Chapter 3: The Wrath of the Dynasty
Within forty-five minutes, the airspace above the Belmont estate was completely locked down.
The quiet luxury of the Hamptons neighborhood was shattered by the deafening roar of three black Sikorsky helicopters descending directly onto the front lawn. Sirens wailed in the distance as a fleet of blacked-out SUVs tore through the iron gates, crushing Victoria's meticulously manicured rose bushes.
Dozens of heavily armed federal agents in tactical gear flooded the mansion, instantly disarming and pinning Victoria’s private security to the floor.
Victoria stood paralyzed in the living room, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. Her husband, Richard Belmont, had just rushed downstairs in his bathrobe, his face white with fear after checking his tablet. "Victoria! What did you do?!" Richard screamed, his voice cracking. "Our company's stocks are being shorted by federal regulators! Every offshore account we own has just been frozen by the Treasury Department! We are being ruined!"
Before Victoria could answer, the front doors were thrown open again.
A tall, imposing man in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit walked in. His hair was silver, his eyes ice-blue, and his face was recognizable to every single citizen of the United States. It was Senator Thomas Harrison. Behind him walked the Chief of Police, the Governor of the State, and a dozen high-ranking FBI agents.
Thomas Harrison didn’t look at Richard or Victoria. He walked straight toward the paramedics who were carefully lifting Clara onto a stretcher. Julian was right beside her, holding her hand, tears streaming down his face.
The Senator knelt beside his daughter, his tough exterior instantly melting into profound sorrow. "Clara... my sweet girl," he whispered, kissing her bloody forehead. "Daddy’s here. I'm so sorry I didn't protect you from these animals."
Clara weakly squeezed his hand. "Julian... saved me, Dad," she breathed out before the paramedics rushed her out to an awaiting medical helicopter.
Senator Harrison stood up slowly. When he turned to face Victoria and Richard, the air in the room felt twenty degrees colder. He walked toward them, each step echoing like a death knell.
"Senator... please, it was a tragic misunderstanding!" Richard Belmont pleaded, dropping to his knees. "My wife... she didn't know! We can compensate you! Any amount!"
"Compensate?" Senator Harrison’s voice was like a heavy thundercloud. He looked down at Victoria, who was trembling so violently she could barely stand. "You thought my daughter was a nobody. You thought because you have a few billion dollars, you could break her body and throw her out like trash."
"I... I am so sorry, Senator," Victoria whimpered, her arrogant supremacy shattered into microscopic pieces. She tried to reach out to touch his arm, but a federal agent instantly slammed her hands down into steel handcuffs.
"You used your wealth as a weapon against the innocent," Senator Harrison said, his voice cold and absolute. "So I am going to strip you of it. By tomorrow morning, the Belmont name will be synonymous with bankruptcy. Every fraud, every tax evasion, every illegal offshore account your family has used for the last thirty years has just been handed to the Department of Justice. You aren't just going to jail, Victoria. You are going to a federal maximum-security prison. And your husband will share the cell next to you."
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"Julian! Help us!" Victoria shrieked as the agents began dragging her toward the door.
Julian didn't even turn around. He walked out to the helicopter to be with his wife, leaving his mother to the wolves of her own making.
