Chapter 9 - The Legal Battle
The SWAT team secured Noelle, locking heavy steel handcuffs tightly around her wrists.
I dropped the pen and let out a massive breath I felt like I had been holding for hours.
My old college buddy, Mark, walked through the office doors completely out of breath.
"I told you I was making some calls to get you legal protection, Evan," Mark said, slapping my shoulder.
"I thought you sold me out to Noelle," I admitted, feeling a deep wave of guilt.
"I called the FBI anti-corruption task force, they have been trying to take down her father for years," Mark explained.
The lead federal agent took the cloud drive from the computer, securing the evidence of Noelle's corporate crimes.
Noelle struggled violently against the agents, screaming like an absolute maniac.
"You think this is over, Evan?" Noelle shrieked, spit flying from her mouth.
"My father will have me out on bail in an hour, and we will crush you in family court!"
I walked over to where she was pinned against the floor and looked down at her with pure disgust.
"Your father was arrested at his country club ten minutes ago," the FBI agent informed her coldly.
The color completely drained from Noelle's face as her empire officially crumbled into dust.
"You are going to prison for a very long time, Noelle," I told her, turning my back on her forever.
I ran out of the building and sprinted three blocks down the street to the all-night diner.
Rachel was sitting in the back booth, holding the sleeping children close to her chest.
When she saw me walk through the door, she completely broke down in tears of relief.
I slid into the booth beside her, wrapping my arms tightly around my beautiful family.
"It is over, Rachel, they can never hurt us again," I whispered into her hair.
The next few months were a chaotic whirlwind of lawyers, federal testimonies, and media circuses.
Noelle and her father pleaded guilty to avoid a public trial, accepting twenty-year prison sentences.
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The forged letter was officially entered into evidence, completely clearing my name of any wrongdoing.
I officially claimed paternity of Leo, Mia, and Lily, giving them the Stanton name they always deserved.
