Chapter 9 - The Counterattack
The detective's words confirmed my absolute worst fear right there in the bank manager's office.
"He's telling the truth, Mrs. Sterling," the lead detective said grimly, holstering his weapon.
"Ryan Thorne's bail was set at five million dollars, and someone just walked into the precinct and paid the entire amount in untraceable cash."
My abusive husband wasn't sitting safely behind cold iron bars anymore; he was roaming the streets with the backing of a dangerous criminal syndicate.
I didn't panic, and I didn't break down into tears.
I turned directly to the terrified bank manager, who was hiding behind his large mahogany desk.
"I am enacting the Alpha Protocol on the Sterling Estate," I commanded, my voice completely steady and authoritative.
The bank manager gasped, immediately rushing to his secure terminal and frantically typing in a series of override commands.
The Alpha Protocol was a fail-safe my father had designed specifically to sever the executor's access and lock every single asset behind impenetrable federal encryption.
Vance screamed in pure frustration as the detective dragged him out of the bank, realizing his entire career was completely destroyed.
"The accounts are entirely secured, Mrs. Sterling," the manager confirmed, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"No one can move a single dime without your physical presence and a federal judge's signature."
I thanked him and walked out to the waiting police cruiser with Mr. Sterling by my side.
I felt a fierce, burning surge of adrenaline pushing away the pain throbbing in my broken arm.
I had successfully cut off the head of the financial snake, and now it was time to eliminate the remaining parasites.
I instructed the police to escort me back to my estate, fully expecting Ryan to be waiting there to ambush me.
When we pulled through the massive wrought-iron gates, the driveway was entirely empty, save for a pile of expensive designer luggage sitting in the rain.
Margaret was kneeling on the wet gravel, sobbing hysterically into her hands while the heavy rain ruined her expensive silk dress.
Ashley had completely abandoned her mother, fleeing the city the moment she realized the cartel's money laundering front was exposed.
"Elena, please, you have to let me back inside!" Margaret begged, crawling pathetically toward my shoes as I stepped out of the police car.
"Ashley left me here, and all of my credit cards have been completely frozen by the bank!"
I looked down at the woman who had mocked my broken arm and happily celebrated my brutal abuse just hours ago.
"You wanted to move into the east wing of my house, Margaret," I said coldly, stepping over her wet designer bags.
"But unfortunately, this estate is no longer accepting unwanted guests."
I signaled to the estate security guards, who immediately grabbed Margaret by her arms and dragged her unceremoniously out the front gates.
I walked up the grand stone steps and entered my beautiful, quiet mansion, finally free of the toxic leeches that had infested it.
The police thoroughly swept every single room, confirming that Ryan was nowhere to be found on the massive property.
The lead detective promised to leave a heavily armed patrol car stationed at the front gate for my protection before heading back to the precinct.
I locked the heavy oak doors, activated the state-of-the-art security system, and let out a long, shuddering breath of absolute relief.
May you like
I had won the war, protected my father's legacy, and completely destroyed the people who tried to break me.
But as I walked into the kitchen to pour myself a celebratory glass of expensive red wine, a strange notification popped up on my phone.
