Chapter 12 - The Arrest
Before Eleanor could scream or summon the estate guards, heavy footsteps echoed loudly down the hallway. The door handle rattled violently, and a second later, the heavy iron latch gave way under a powerful kick.
Julian Vance stood in the doorway, panting heavily, flanked by local federal marshals and two armed security officers. His eyes darted around the chaotic scene—the shattered paperweight, Eleanor’s trembling fury, and Clara standing tall and composed beside the desk.
"What... what is happening here?" Julian demanded, his voice cracking with shock as he looked at his wife and mother.
Eleanor immediately dropped her hostile demeanor, twisting her face into a pathetic, weeping mask. "Julian! Thank God! This... this woman broke into my private study! She’s trying to frame me, she’s stealing company secrets!" she wailed, playing the ultimate victim.
May you like
Julian looked at Clara, searching her eyes for any sign of guilt or deception. But Clara simply reached into her jacket, pulled out the encrypted thumb drive, and tossed it gently across the desk into Julian’s hands.
"Plug it into her terminal, Julian," Clara said steadily. "And see who the real thief in this house is."
