Chapter 12 - Behind Iron Bars
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The holding cell at the precinct was cold, smelling of bleach and rust. Victoria sat on the stainless-steel bench, her emerald dress stained and torn, her eyes red-rimmed with rage as she stared at the concrete floor.
A guard unlocked the heavy metal door. "You have five minutes with your attorney."
Carter walked into the visitor room, placing his leather briefcase on the metal table. He looked at Victoria with a mixture of annoyance and pity.
"You blew it," Carter said bluntly, sitting down across from her. "Edward pressed full charges for aggravated assault, elder abuse, and attempted extortion. The police have the bloody transfer documents and the wildflowers with your fingerprints all over them."
"I don't care about the charges!" Victoria hissed, leaning across the table, her fingernails digging into the steel surface. "Get me bail, Carter! Use the family trust as collateral!"
Carter laughed mockingly. "What family trust? The trust is frozen pending the criminal investigation. Florence Vance is still alive, and her lawyer just filed a restraining order against you on behalf of the entire estate. You don't have a dime."
Victoria’s face paled. "Then call my contacts! Call the people I owe money to! Tell them to get me out!"
Carter leaned in close, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Those people don't rescue failures, Victoria. They are terrified the police will trace your debts back to their illegal operations. You are toxic."
Victoria sank back into her chair, her breathing shallow as reality finally crashed down on her.
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"Listen to me very carefully," Carter whispered, opening his briefcase to reveal a single document. "Sign this power of attorney over to my firm. Give me control of your marital claims to Edward's personal property, and I might be able to keep you out of state prison."
Victoria looked at the paper, realizing she was just a pawn in another man's game. But with no options left, she grabbed the pen and signed her name.
