Chapter 8 - The Falling ShardsThe grand double doors of the ballroom burst open for the second time, but this time, it wasn't a lone billionaire. It was a dozen armed federal agents in dark jackets with FBI stamped across the back, accompanied by uniformed Seattle police officers.
The ballroom descended into absolute chaos. Reporters, who had been listening to Vanessa’s lies all morning, scrambled to get their cameras focused on her face as the agents stepped onto the floor.
"Vanessa Blake," the lead federal agent announced, pulling a set of steel handcuffs from his belt. "You are under arrest for federal corporate espionage, theft of trade secrets, and criminal child endangerment. You have the right to remain silent."
"No! No! It’s a setup! Julian, help me!" Vanessa shrieked, backing away until her heels caught on the edge of the stage staircase. She stumbled, falling down onto the polished wood, her silver gown tearing at the hip as the agents moved in, clicking the handcuffs around her wrists.
Elaine Frost began screaming hysterically, trying to push an officer away, only to find herself immediately placed in handcuffs beside her daughter for conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
Julian Sterling stepped back from the microphone, his face entirely devoid of color. "Ethan, wait. Let’s talk about this. We can reach a settlement. I’ll return the data. I’ll pay for the damages."
"There is no settlement, Julian," Ethan said, his grey eyes fixed on his rival with an absolute, unyielding finality. "Tomorrow morning, the Securities and Exchange Commission is launching an investigation into Sterling Maritime for insider trading and corporate fraud based on the evidence my team submitted to the federal prosecutor two hours ago. Your stock will be worthless by the time the opening bell rings."
As Vanessa and Julian were dragged down the center aisle of the ballroom in handcuffs, their screams of rage and panic echoing horribly against the crystal chandeliers, the remaining guests stood in stunned, terrified silence. They looked at Ethan Caldwell, realizing that the man they had labeled as 'vulnerable' had just completely eradicated two of the most powerful families in the city without breaking a sweat.
Ethan looked out at the crowd of reporters, their flashbulbs illuminating his face in bright, white bursts.
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"My children are at home on Mercer Island," Ethan said into the microphones, his voice carrying an absolute, crushing authority. "They are safe. They are loved. And if anyone in this city ever tries to hurt a child under my protection again, I suggest you look at the shards of Julian Sterling’s empire before you take a step onto my land. Goodnight."
He turned on his heel, walking out of the ballroom, leaving the elite of Seattle to pick up the pieces of the world he had just violently shattered.
