Chapter 7 - The Fall Of The Empire
They found Victoria at a private airstrip, sitting in the VIP lounge. She was sipping champagne, waiting for her private jet to be fueled. She thought she had won. She fully expected Marcus to arrive with her new, three-billion-dollar grandson. When the lounge doors opened, she smiled. But the smile vanished instantly. It wasn't Marcus. It was Nathan, Elena, and a team of law enforcement officers. “What is the meaning of this?!” Victoria screamed, slamming her champagne glass on the table. “You can't bring these people here!” Nathan stepped forward, his face completely devoid of the love he once held for her. “It’s over, Mother.” “Marcus confessed to everything to save his own skin.” “The bribery, the forged documents, the fake psychological evaluations.” Victoria’s eyes darted around the room, looking for an escape. “Lies!” she shrieked, her perfectly styled hair falling out of place. “I am Victoria Sterling! I built this family!” “You are an ungrateful son! And she is a thief!” She pointed a shaking, manicured finger at Elena. Elena didn't hide behind Nathan this time. She stepped forward, holding her baby with confidence. The fear that had paralyzed her in the hallway days ago was completely gone. “I am a mother,” Elena said, her voice ringing clear and strong. “And a real mother protects her child.” “You only protected your bank accounts.” “You will never see my son again.” An officer stepped forward, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. “Victoria Sterling, you are under arrest for conspiracy, bribery, and fraud.” “Turn around and put your hands behind your back.” Victoria fought, kicking and screaming obscenities as they placed her in cuffs. The elegant, untouchable matriarch was reduced to a crying, desperate criminal. As the police led her away, she locked eyes with Nathan one last time. She expected to see pity. She only saw closure.
