Chapter 34 - The Final Toll
"Did you come all the way down here just to gloat and mock me?" Ethan rasped through the crackling, heavily monitored intercom telephone, his voice a pathetic, hollow imitation of the roar that used to send me cowering into corners.
"No," I replied, my tone perfectly even, completely devoid of anger or vindictiveness. "I came here exclusively to inform you that your brother Marcus will very shortly be transferring facilities to become your new neighbor. Every single hidden share, every last cent of your family's dirty money, has been legally seized by the federal government. There is absolutely no one left on the outside to fund your appeals or feed your delusions of control."
Ethan’s jaw dropped slightly, and I watched with detached fascination as his hands began to tremble uncontrollably, his white-knuckled fingers gripping the edge of the metal counter. In that profound moment, I felt absolutely no triumphant glee, nor did I feel a shred of lingering pity. The only emotion that bloomed in my chest was a vast, quiet emptiness—a magnificent, liberating void where my fear of him used to live.
