CHAPTER 7: THE INTERROGATION IN THE STUDY
Inside the high-security federal holding facility, Richard Sterling sat across a stainless-steel interrogation table, looking every bit of his seventy years of age. His expensive designer suit was rumpled, his hair was disheveled, and the arrogant confidence that once defined him was completely gone.
Across from him sat federal prosecutor Sarah Jenkins, sliding a thick stack of printed financial wire receipts across the metal surface. "These documents trace every single dollar paid to the private security firm that kept your nephew hidden in plain sight across the outer boroughs," Sarah stated calmly.
Richard scoffed weakly, leaning back in his metal chair while avoiding eye contact with the recording camera mounted in the corner of the room. "It was a family restructuring agreement, prosecutor; children get lost in custody disputes every single day in this city," Richard lied through his teeth.
Sarah smiled thinly, sliding a second set of documents—this time, Arthur Pendelton's fully signed and notarized guilty plea—directly in front of him. "Arthur has already confessed to every detail, including your direct orders to ensure the boy was never found by local authorities," she countered smoothly.
Richard’s face drained of whatever color it had left, his hands trembling as he realized his oldest co-conspirator had already traded him down the river. "Arthur is a bitter old man who will say anything to shave a few years off his mandatory federal sentence," Richard protested desperately.
"He gave us the encryption keys to your private offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands, Richard; your defense strategy is completely bankrupt," Sarah informed him plainly. The federal prosecutor stood up, buttoning her blazer with an air of absolute finality before turning toward the heavy steel door.
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"You spent eight years trying to steal an empire from a grieving mother and her defenseless child, and now you'll spend the rest of your life reflecting on that choice," Sarah added. As the heavy door clicked shut behind her, Richard slumped forward into his hands, sobbing tears of pure, unadulterated regret.
The corporate dynasty he had tried to build on a foundation of lies and cruelty had collapsed into dust, leaving him utterly ruined and forgotten. Outside the prison walls, the sun shone brightly over a city where justice finally prevailed against the untouchable elite.
