Chapter 6
The entire room froze in stunned silence as the lead federal marshal stepped up to the edge of the stage with a crisp, official document in his hand. "Mark Carter, you are under arrest for federal wire fraud, interstate transportation of stolen property, and document forgery," the marshal announced with booming, authoritative precision. Mark’s champagne flute slipped from his trembling fingers, shattering violently against the stage floor as the golden liquid splattered across his polished leather shoes. "This... this is a mistake! Do you know who I am? I am the CEO of Carter Developments!" Mark stammered frantically, backing away from the podium in absolute panic.
Before he could reach the side exit, two federal agents moved with lightning speed, grabbing his arms and forcing them behind his back. The heavy steel handcuffs snapped shut around his wrists with a sharp, echoing click that silenced any remaining murmurs in the ballroom. Eleanor shrieked in absolute horror from the front row, leaping to her feet and lunging toward the agents. "Get your hands off my son! This is an outrage! We'll sue every single one of you!" she screamed hysterically, her face contorted in a terrifying mask of rage.
An agent turned to her coldly, flashing a federal badge right in front of her widened eyes. "Sit back down, Mrs. Carter, unless you want to join your son in a federal holding cell as an accessory to grand larceny and conspiracy," he warned flatly. Eleanor recoiled as if she had been physically struck, collapsing back into her folding chair while the surrounding investors whispered in shock. Flashbulbs from hidden media cameras began popping wildly around the room as journalists captured the downfall of Boston's golden boy in real time.
