Chapter 5 - Frozen Assets
Emma stepped forward, her professional demeanor masking the ache in her knee, and laid three thick folders on the conference table before Director Harrison.
"Exhibit A," Emma announced clearly, her voice steady and resolute. "Forensic analysis of Mr. Blackwood’s private vehicle from seven months ago. The brake lines were mechanically scored with a laser-guided cutter—a tool purchased under a subsidiary owned by Julian Blackwood’s logistics firm."
The directors gasped, leaning over the glossy photographs of severed hydraulic tubes.
"Exhibit B," Adrian continued, his voice cold as ice. "Transcripts of text messages exchanged between my beloved cousin Julian and my former fiancée Vanessa over the past five months. It seems they were not only planning a takeover of Blackwood Holdings, but they were also planning a wedding in Monaco once my estate cleared probate."
"This is fabricated! It’s slander!" Julian shouted, his voice cracking into a high pitch. He glared at Emma with naked fury. "You little gutter rat! You forged these documents! Adrian is insane—he’s hallucinating from his medication!"
"The medication you paid my night nurse to switch?" Adrian countered, raising a dark eyebrow. "The one designed to mimic peripheral neuropathy and keep me confined to that wheelchair?"
Adrian reached into his pocket and placed a clear plastic bag on the table containing several amber pill bottles.
"Detective Miller," Adrian called out calmly.
The lead detective stepped forward, unhooking a pair of steel handcuffs from his belt. "Julian Blackwood, you are under arrest for attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, corporate embezzlement, and fraud. You have the right to remain silent."
Julian bolted for the side exit leading to the private executive elevator. But before he could take three strides, Adrian intercepted him. Moving with frightening speed and precision, Adrian seized Julian by the lapels and slammed him back-first against the floor-to-ceiling glass window overlooking the city.
The glass rattled violently under the impact. Julian groaned, his eyes bulging as Adrian gripped his throat with iron fingers.
"Did you really think," Adrian whispered into his cousin's ear, "that because I was sitting down, I had forgotten how to break you?"
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"Adrian, please!" Julian choked out, clawing at Adrian’s wrists. "It was Vanessa! She planned the stairs! She pushed you, not me!"
"You supplied the motive. She supplied the shove," Adrian said, his expression completely devoid of mercy. He shoved Julian into the waiting arms of the detectives. "Take him out through the main lobby. Let the press take as many pictures as they want."
