Chapter 10 - The Fall of the Patriarch
General Sterling opened the envelope and briefly scanned the top document.
His face remained impassive, but his eyes were dangerous.
"Mr. Davis," the General said quietly. "You have stolen from my family."
"Sir, I can explain—" Frank begged, his arrogance completely shattered.
"You will explain it to my legal team," Sterling interrupted.
"And to the federal authorities," he added. "I am freezing your company's operating accounts immediately."
Tyler let out a pathetic sob and slumped against the wall, sliding down to the floor.
"It wasn't my fault," Tyler cried. "Dad told me to do it!"
Frank kicked Tyler's shoe. "Shut up, you idiot!"
Ethan walked over to me and wrapped his arm securely around my waist.
"Are you okay?" Ethan asked softly.
"I am," I said, leaning into him.
I looked at the two men who had tormented me my entire life.
They looked small. Weak. Pathetic.
"You're not welcome at this reception anymore," I told my father.
"You can't kick me out," Frank sneered, trying to salvage a shred of pride. "I'm the father of the bride."
"No," I corrected him. "You're just a man who is about to be indicted."
"Escort them out," General Sterling commanded.
Two large venue security guards, whom Ethan had apparently signaled, stepped into the hallway.
"Sir, you need to leave the premises," the guard said, grabbing Frank's arm.
Frank tried to shake him off, but the guard held firm.
They hauled Frank and a sobbing Tyler down the back stairwell, their protests echoing into silence.
I stood in the hallway, breathing heavily, feeling a massive weight lift off my chest.
I turned to my mother.
"What are you going to do now?" I asked her.
"I filed for divorce on Thursday," she said with a small, sad smile. "I'm going to my sister's house."
She reached out and squeezed my hand.
May you like
"I'm sorry it took me so long to protect you," she said.
"Thank you for doing it today," I replied.
