Chapter 17 - Downfall|
The judge’s gavel slammed down with a loud crack—a sound entirely opposite to the one I had heard at my divorce hearing.
“The court unequivocally dismisses the plaintiff's petition for custody. Furthermore, I am transferring the evidence of financial fraud, tax evasion, and judicial bribery directly to the FBI.”
Police sirens wailed almost immediately in the hallway outside. Federal agents pushed through the courtroom doors, handcuffs clinking.
“Julian, you are under arrest for federal financial fraud, tax evasion, and bribing a judicial official.”
Julian was slammed face-first onto the oak table, the cold steel cuffs clicking tightly around his wrists. He thrashed wildly, his eyes locking onto mine, filled with toxic hatred and desperate pleading.
“Clara! You can't do this! Save me! I’m Leo’s father!”
I walked slowly over to him, leaning in close so only he could hear me.
“When you told me to walk out of court with nothing, what was it you said? Ah, yes. ‘Let’s see how you survive without me.’ I am surviving just fine, Julian. But let’s see how you survive in a federal penitentiary with absolutely nothing.”
May you like
I turned my back and walked away, not looking back a single time as his pathetic, agonizing screams echoed down the marble halls of the courthouse. The dark cloud that had haunted my life was finally gone.
That night, the Sterling Estate hosted a private, lavish celebration. I held Leo in my arms, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the glittering city skyline. Everything seemed to have returned to its rightful place. But I had no idea that the real darkness was still lurking nearby.
