Chapter 5 - The Shadow's Retaliation
Before Victoria could press the red button on the remote control, a shadow crossed the balcony window behind her.
CRASH!
The floor-to-ceiling glass doors exploded inward as a team of four heavily armed federal tactical officers from the FBI’s Major Crimes Division swung inside on tactical ropes, their weapons aimed directly at Victoria’s men.
"FBI! DROP YOUR WEAPONS! ON THE FLOOR NOW!" a thunderous voice roared over the sound of shattering glass.
Victoria’s three hired thugs raised their hands immediately, dropping to their knees on the glass-strewn rug.
Special Agent Vance stepped through the broken balcony doors, holding a sleek black tablet. "Lady Victoria Sterling, you are under arrest for attempted murder, high-level corporate fraud, kidnapping, and human trafficking."
Victoria stumbled backward, her cane falling to the floor, her face turning a sickly shade of gray. "What?! How did you... how did you know?!"
From behind the FBI officers walked Arthur, Alexander’s faithful senior butler, holding an encrypted recording device that was flashing a bright red recording light.
"I have served the Sterling family for forty years, Lady Victoria," Arthur said coldly, looking at her with absolute disgust. "I served your late husband, and I serve Alexander. When you ordered me to hire Hannah as a temporary maid three months ago, I suspected your motives. I placed audio bugs in your private study."
"Arthur... you traitor!" Victoria shrieked.
"The only traitor in this room is you, Mother," Alexander said, stepping past the federal agents. He walked up to Victoria, taking the silver remote control from her trembling hands and handing it to Agent Vance.
"Take her away," Alexander commanded, his voice cold as ice. "And make sure the state prosecutor files every single charge available under the law."
As the federal marshals dragged Lady Victoria away in steel handcuffs, her high-pitched screams echoing down the marble hallway, Noah buried his face back into Hannah’s apron.
Hannah stroked her son's head gently, tears of relief falling from her eyes.
Alexander turned back to them. He walked over, dropped to his knees once again, and gently cupped Hannah’s face in his hands.
"You're safe now, Rosalie," Alexander whispered softly. "I will spend the rest of my life making up for every second you suffered in the dark."
May you like
"Hannah..." she whispered back, a faint, beautiful smile appearing on her lips. "You can call me Hannah for now... until my memories come back."
"Whatever name you want," Alexander smiled through his tears, pressing his forehead against hers. "You are the love of my life, and you are home."
