Chapter 5 - The Interrogation and the Exposure
By midnight, news of Grant Holloway’s arrest had sent shockwaves through the elite financial circles. At the city’s central police precinct, Grant sat in a bleak, fluorescent-lit interrogation room. His hands were handcuffed to the metal table. His expensive Italian suit jacket was gone, his hair was disheveled, and his eyes were wild with desperation. Across from him sat Chief Detective Vance and Assistant District Attorney Marcus Vance. On the table between them lay a tablet playing the crystal-clear video recorded from Celeste’s phone and Daniel’s hidden network.
“Sign the papers, or next time I won’t use the flat side.” Grant’s own voice echoed off the cold concrete walls. On the screen, the visual was undeniable: Grant, brandishing a heavy steel antique sword, swinging it down, the audible thud as it struck Evelyn’s body, her torn dress, her trembling form protecting her stomach. Grant flinched, pulling his eyes away from the screen. “I want my lawyer,” Grant rasped, his voice hoarse. “Where is my attorney?”
ADA Marcus leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “Your corporate attorney resigned twenty minutes ago, Mr. Holloway,” Marcus said coldly. “After reviewing the evidence of pension fund embezzlement provided by Mercer Capital, your firm terminated their representation to avoid being named as co-conspirators.” Grant’s breath hitched. “They... they abandoned me?” “You abandoned yourself the moment you drew a weapon on a pregnant woman,” Detective Vance said, leaning forward. “You are being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, attempted extortion, corporate fraud, and endangerment of an unborn child. Given the severity of the charges and the flight risk posed by your financial collapse, we are petitioning for zero bail.”
“This is a setup!” Grant screamed, rattling his handcuffs against the table. “The Mercer family set me up! They manipulated my company's stock! They drove me to bankruptcy!” The door to the interrogation room opened. Nathan Mercer stepped inside, accompanied by the city Police Commissioner himself. The officers in the room stood up out of respect. Nathan nodded politely to the Commissioner, then walked over to the interrogation table, looking down at Grant like a man looking at a bug under his shoe.
“Nobody drove you to bankruptcy, Grant,” Nathan said quietly. “Your own greed, arrogance, and incompetence did that. You thought marrying a Mercer made you invincible. You thought Evelyn was just a quiet girl you could step on to build your fragile ego.” “Nathan!” Grant sobbed, dropping his head onto the cold table. “Please! I’m begging you! Think of my family! Think of the Holloway name! I’ll sign whatever you want! I’ll divorce her! I’ll waive all rights to the child! Just drop the charges!” Nathan stared at him without a shred of pity. “You don't get to negotiate, Grant,” Nathan declared. “You don't have anything left to bargain with. Your assets are frozen. Your hotels are gone. Your mistress has already signed a full confession detailing your illegal offshore transactions in exchange for a reduced sentence.”
Grant lifted his head, his eyes hollow, completely defeated. “What do you want from me?” Grant whispered. “I want you to spend the next twenty years behind bars thinking about the moment you raised that sword against my sister,” Nathan said, his voice terrifyingly calm. “And every single day you are in prison, you will watch from a small television as Evelyn raises your daughter surrounded by a family that actually loves her.” Nathan turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving Grant to crumble into hysterical sobs in the cold, dark room.
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Outside the precinct, a sea of reporters and news cameras had already gathered. Flashbulbs blinded the night air as Daniel Mercer stepped up to a podium set up on the steps. Microphones from every major business and news network were thrust toward him. “Mr. Mercer! Is it true that Grant Holloway was arrested for assault?” “What is the status of Holloway Hospitality?” “How is your sister, Evelyn Mercer?”
Daniel adjusted his microphone, his expression stern and professional. “At 8:30 PM tonight,” Daniel announced into the microphones, his voice echoing across the street, “Grant Holloway was arrested for violent assault and extensive corporate fraud. My sister, Evelyn Mercer, is currently in stable condition under expert medical care.” A collective gasp rippled through the journalists. “Effective immediately,” Daniel continued, “Mercer Capital has acquired all operational rights to Holloway Hospitality. The company will undergo complete restructuring, and every penny stolen from the employee pension fund will be fully reimbursed by the Mercer Foundation. As of tonight, Grant Holloway has been removed from all positions of authority.” Daniel looked directly into the primary news camera. “To anyone who believes they can use power, wealth, or fear to harm a member of the Mercer family: take this as your only warning.”
