Chapter 14 - The FBI Walks In
I sat quietly at the end of the table, watching the nightmare unfold.
For years, Celia and Bernard Holloway had treated me like dirt under their shoes. They had called me plain, cold, ugly, and undeserving of their son. They had protected Grant's ego, encouraged his grandiosity, and ignored every single warning sign because they enjoyed living off the stolen illusion of his success.
Now, the bill had finally arrived. And it was stamped with a federal seal.
Agent Vance turned to me, his tone instantly softening into one of respect.
"Ms. Rowan," Vance said, bowing his head slightly. "We have reviewed the forensic data and corporate postnuptial agreements provided by your attorney last week. The Bureau has officially confirmed that you and Northstar Metrics were victims of attempted identity theft and corporate forgery by Grant Holloway."
"Thank you, Agent Vance," I replied calmly. "My firm will continue to cooperate fully with your investigation."
"You are completely cleared of all personal and corporate liability," Vance added. "You may go."
I stood up slowly, adjusting my blazer. I picked up my handbag, nodding to Naomi and David.
As I walked toward the exit, Celia lifted her tear-streaked face. Her white designer suit was wrinkled, her mascara was running down her cheeks in dark, messy tracks, and her eyes were filled with a desperate, pathetic plea.
"Elise... please!" Celia sobbed, reaching out a trembling hand to grab my sleeve. "Please... you have to help us! We are your family! You have hundreds of millions of dollars! You can pay off this debt! You can make this go away!"
I stopped. I looked down at her hand on my sleeve.
Then, gently but firmly, I peeled her fingers off my jacket, just as I had done in the hospital corridor three days ago.
"Family?" I asked, keeping my voice soft so only she could hear. "At the hospital, you called me ugly. At the funeral, you said I wasn't a real wife. Ten minutes ago, you tried to take everything I built."
"I was grieving! I didn't mean it!" she begged, tears spilling over her shaking chin.
"You meant every word, Celia," I said coldly. "You wanted every single penny Grant left behind. Congratulations. You got it."
May you like
I turned my back on them and walked out of the conference room. Behind me, the heavy oak doors closed, cutting off the sounds of Celia’s hysterical weeping and Bernard's desperate arguments with the federal agents.
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