Chapter 8 - The Voice of Defeat
Julian stared at the tablet, his face contorting in pure, unadulterated confusion.
"What do you mean voice authorization?" Julian demanded, frantically clicking the red button again and again.
"Chloe didn't trust you, Julian," I explained, slowly walking closer to him.
"She coded the virus to only execute if she gave the verbal command, ensuring you couldn't betray her."
Julian threw the useless detonator onto the marble floor, shattering it into pieces.
He realized he was completely disarmed, outsmarted, and cornered with no remaining leverage.
My father's security guards instantly lunged forward, tackling Julian forcefully to the ground.
They pinned his arms behind his back, pressing his face roughly against the cold floor.
"You have lost everything, Julian," my father said, standing over him like a victorious king.
"Your company is mine, your reputation is destroyed, and you are going to prison for a very long time."
The elite guests in the ballroom began to clap again, this time cheering for Julian's absolute downfall.
The doors opened, and the local police finally arrived to officially take him into custody.
As they dragged him to his feet, Julian looked at me, tears of genuine fear streaming down his face.
"Clarissa, please, remember the good times! Remember our wedding day!" he begged pathetically.
I walked right up to him, looking deep into the eyes of the man who had caused me so much pain.
"I wore a worn-out dress tonight because I thought it was the only thing I deserved," I told him quietly.
"But the truth is, Julian, you are the one who is completely worthless."
I turned my back on him and walked away as the police dragged him out of the ballroom in handcuffs.
The nightmare was finally over, and a heavy, suffocating weight lifted off my shoulders.
My father pulled me into another tight hug, kissing the top of my head proudly.
"You handled that like a true Vance," my father smiled, his eyes shining with tears of joy.
The party slowly resumed, the guests eager to celebrate the dramatic climax they had just witnessed.
I walked over to the grand balcony, stepping out into the cool night air to catch my breath.
I looked out over the glittering city lights, feeling entirely free for the first time in three years.
I had survived the betrayal, reclaimed my identity, and secured my own brilliant future.
Suddenly, I heard the soft, distinct click of a gun hammer being pulled back in the shadows behind me.
May you like
A cold, familiar voice whispered directly into my ear.
"Did you really think I would let you walk away that easily, Clarissa?" Chloe hissed.
