Chapter 8 - The Fall of the Syndicate
A collective gasp echoed across the grand ballroom. Glasses were dropped; murmurs turned into horrified shouts.
The audio echoed loud and clear over the speakers: Arthur's voice describing the exact blackmail sum, naming his syndicate co-conspirators in New York real estate, and detailing how he intended to ruin Victoria's life to seize control of the Kline family wealth.
Arthur dropped his champagne flute, the crystal shattering on the parquet floor. He spun around to flee toward the side exits, but federal agents—notified hours earlier by Marcus and Sebastian—blocked every door.
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"Arthur Vance," an FBI special agent announced, stepping forward with hand-cuffs drawn. "You are under arrest for federal wiretapping, extortion, interstate conspiracy, and corporate espionage."
As the agents slammed Arthur against the marble pillar to cuff him, the crowd broke out into furious whispers and applause. Victoria stood at the podium, her head held high, tears of relief glinting in her eyes as the threat that had hung over her family was smashed into pieces in front of the entire world.
