Chapter 4 - The Unwelcome Guests
I slowly stood up from the dining table, supporting my broken arm as I walked out into the grand foyer.
Margaret and Ashley followed closely behind me, muttering complaints about the sudden interruption to their lavish meal.
When we reached the entryway, the smug and confident smile had completely vanished from Ryan's pale face.
Standing on the front porch of my estate were two uniformed police detectives and a serious-looking forensic investigator.
Right behind them stood my fierce family attorney, Mr. Sterling, and the official executor of my late father's massive estate.
"Can I help you officers?" Ryan stammered, desperately trying to block their view of the house with his broad shoulders.
"We aren't here for a friendly visit, Mr. Thorne," the lead detective stated, holding up a thick stack of official paperwork.
"We have a warrant for your immediate arrest on charges of felony domestic assault, attempted grand larceny, and wire fraud."
Margaret gasped loudly, rushing forward to grab her son's arm in a sheer panic.
"This is an absolute outrage!" she shrieked at the police officers.
"My son is a highly respected businessman, and his wife simply fell down the stairs!"
I stepped out from the shadows of the hallway, holding my smartphone up for everyone in the foyer to clearly see.
"Actually, Margaret, he didn't teach me my place at all," I said, my voice echoing with pure, undeniable authority.
I pressed the play button on the screen, and the crystal-clear audio from the dining room filled the tense silence.
Every single threat Ryan had made, and every arrogant confession Margaret and Ashley had just spewed, played loudly from the speaker.
The lead detective immediately pulled a pair of heavy steel handcuffs from his tactical belt.
"Ryan Thorne, turn around and place your hands behind your back," the detective commanded firmly.
Ryan's eyes darted wildly around the room, realizing that his perfect web of control had just been completely obliterated.
The officers grabbed his arms, forcefully spinning him around and snapping the cold metal cuffs tightly onto his wrists.
"You are making a massive mistake, Elena!" Ryan screamed at me as the officers began dragging him out the door.
"I am your husband, and I am entitled to half of everything in this damn house!"
Mr. Sterling, my family attorney, stepped forward and adjusted his expensive silk tie.
"Actually, Ryan, you signed an ironclad prenuptial agreement that instantly voids any marital claims in the event of domestic felony convictions," the lawyer stated smoothly.
"You currently own absolutely nothing but the cheap clothes on your back."
Ryan thrashed aggressively against the grip of the two large detectives as they pulled him down the porch steps toward the cruiser.
But right before they shoved him into the back of the police car, Ryan stopped fighting and looked back at me.
May you like
A terrifying, malicious grin slowly spread across his face, entirely replacing his frantic panic.
"You really should have checked the offshore trust before you called the cops, Elena," he yelled over the sound of the sirens.
