Chapter 4: The Empire Falls
Chapter 4: The Empire Falls
Morning headlines spread across every financial network.
HARTWELL TRUST REMOVES EXECUTIVE AFTER MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FRAUD INVESTIGATION
Outside the estate...
News helicopters circled overhead.
Police investigators arrived with search warrants.
Financial regulators entered through the front gates.
Inside...
Julian looked as though he had aged ten years overnight.
He confronted Vivian inside the library.
"You planned this."
"No."
She looked directly at him.
"You planned it."
"I simply stopped protecting you."
He laughed bitterly.
"You still love me."
Vivian looked toward the fireplace.
"I loved the man I thought you were."
She paused.
"He never existed."
Behind them...
Investigators carried away computers.
Accounting files.
Storage drives.
Original contracts.
Elise attempted to leave through the rear entrance.
Detectives stopped her.
"Ms. Wren."
"We have a warrant."
She turned pale.
Julian rushed toward them.
"This is harassment!"
One detective calmly handed him another document.
"Mr. Crowe..."
"You're under investigation for fraud, conspiracy, identity theft, and embezzlement."
The ballroom that had applauded Julian only hours earlier now watched in complete silence.
No one defended him.
May you like
Not one guest stepped forward.
The people who admired power admired consequences even more.
