Chapter 8 - The Collateral Damage
The auditorium erupted into absolute chaos for the third time that morning.
The federal agents firmly grabbed Arthur's arms and began to secure the handcuffs.
Selena rushed forward, desperately screaming for them to stop and explain themselves.
Arthur remained completely calm, offering his daughter a reassuring smile despite the restraints.
He told Selena to stay strong and not let this distraction ruin her incredible achievement.
Hunter, sensing an unexpected opportunity, began laughing uncontrollably from the back row.
He loudly mocked Selena, claiming her entire family was nothing but a bunch of criminals.
He told the academic committee that Arthur's dirty money had tainted the university's reputation.
He demanded that Selena's newly awarded doctorate be instantly revoked due to association with a felon.
The dean looked incredibly conflicted, staring at the federal agents with deep concern.
One of the agents turned around and glared fiercely at Hunter.
The agent firmly told Hunter to shut his mouth and sit down immediately.
He explained that the corporate embezzlement charges were entirely related to a rival tech company.
He revealed that someone had framed Arthur by routing stolen funds through his private equity firm.
The agent pulled out a tablet and displayed a series of complex digital wire transfers.
He noted that the network address used to frame Arthur was the exact same one used to wipe Selena's laptop.
Hunter's face drained of all color as the realization hit him like a freight train.
He had stupidly used his own personal computer to commit both federal crimes.
He had been so desperate to destroy Selena and her powerful father that he became incredibly sloppy.
The second federal agent unclipped a radio from his belt and spoke into it.
He ordered the local police officers waiting outside to enter the building immediately.
Five armed officers stormed into the room, surrounding Hunter and Barbara completely.
Hunter tried to run toward the emergency exit, but he tripped over his mother's abandoned purse.
He crashed hard into the wooden floor, breaking his nose upon impact.
An officer forcefully pinned him down and tightly secured his wrists behind his back.
Barbara stood frozen in terror, refusing to even look at her bleeding son.
The federal agent approached Arthur and respectfully unlocked the heavy steel handcuffs.
May you like
"We apologize for the theatrical entrance, sir, but the bait worked perfectly," the agent whispered.
Arthur rubbed his wrists and smiled down at the terrified man writhing on the floor.
