Chapter 5 - The Federal Frame-Up
I stared at the federal agent, utterly paralyzed by the sheer absurdity of his accusation.
"Embezzlement?" I repeated, my voice tight with shock. "I have never touched a single cent of the state pension fund."
Agent Thorne did not blink, nor did he offer any shred of sympathy.
"We have digital wire transfers proving that the missing five million dollars was routed directly into your personal offshore accounts this morning," he stated coldly.
Richard had orchestrated a brilliant, devastating frame-up.
He had not just drained my personal bank accounts to leave me broke; he had used the stolen funds to create a fake digital paper trail linking me to a massive federal crime.
"This is a coordinated setup," I argued frantically, taking a step back as he approached with the handcuffs. "My ex-husband is a billionaire with deep political connections. He hacked my accounts to frame me."
"You can explain all of your conspiracy theories to the federal prosecutor, Your Honor," Thorne replied, grabbing my wrist firmly.
The cold, heavy steel snapped shut around my wrists, the sharp click echoing loudly in the quiet hospital room.
Maya stirred in her bed, waking up groggily from the heavy pain medication.
"Mommy?" she called out weakly, rubbing her uninjured eye.
I turned to my daughter, forcing a calm, reassuring smile onto my face despite the sheer terror gripping my heart.
"Everything is fine, sweetie," I lied smoothly. "Mommy has to go handle some very important work business for a little while. The nurses are going to take great care of you."
Thorne aggressively pulled my arm, practically dragging me out of the hospital room and into the busy hallway.
Nurses and doctors stopped and stared in absolute shock as the Chief Judge was paraded through the hospital in federal handcuffs.
I kept my head held high, refusing to let Richard's corrupt agents see me break.
Thorne shoved me into the back of an unmarked black SUV waiting in the ambulance bay.
As the heavy doors slammed shut, I realized the terrifying reality of my situation.
If I was locked in a federal holding cell, I could not protect Maya, and I could not fight Richard's legal team.
He would inevitably win sole custody of our daughter by declaring me an unfit, convicted felon.
I sat in the back of the SUV, desperately calculating my extremely limited options.
I noticed that Agent Thorne was driving erratically, taking back roads that definitely did not lead to the downtown federal courthouse.
"Where are you taking me?" I demanded, leaning forward against the metal grate separating the seats.
Thorne glanced at me in the rearview mirror, offering a chilling, sinister smile.
"Mr. Sterling requested a private meeting before we officially book you into the system," Thorne revealed.
The FBI agent was completely corrupt, bought and paid for by my ex-husband's immense wealth.
He pulled the SUV into a dark, abandoned warehouse district on the edge of the city limits.
The vehicle stopped inside an empty loading bay, and Thorne hauled me out of the back seat.
May you like
Richard was already waiting inside the warehouse, smoking an expensive cigar and looking incredibly smug.
"I told you that you were completely powerless, Elena," Richard laughed, tossing his cigar onto the concrete floor.
