Chapter 10 - Midnight
Marcus tried to run, but he was surrounded. Three officers tackled the billionaire heir to the polished quartz floor, aggressively forcing his hands behind his back. The loud, metallic CLICK of handcuffs echoed through the room.
Arthur Sterling was cornered by two detectives, reading him his Miranda rights for corporate fraud and accessory to murder.
Clara unlocked the AV booth and stepped out.
The clock tower outside the Sovereign Palace began to toll.
Bong. Bong. Bong.
It was midnight.
Marcus was hauled to his feet by the police. He looked at Clara, his eyes filled with venom and disbelief. The golden boy of the financial dynasty had been utterly destroyed by the woman he thought he could control.
"You're a dead woman, Clara," Marcus spat as they dragged him past her.
Clara stood tall, her torn ivory gown flowing around her. She unclasped the heavy, blood-stained emerald necklace from her neck and dropped it onto the floor at Marcus's feet.
"No, Marcus," Clara said, her voice steady and resolute. "I am a PR director. And I just successfully orchestrated the largest re-branding in this company's history."
May you like
The police dragged Marcus out into the flashing red and blue lights of the squad cars waiting outside.
Clara walked through the parting crowd of stunned billionaires and frantic journalists. She didn't look back at the towering wedding cake, the wilting white lilies, or the shattered crystal. She walked out into the cool, night air, leaving the corrupted empire burning in her wake, entirely free.
