Chapter 6 - CORNERED RATS
By Friday afternoon, the Carter family empire was unraveling at light speed.
Inside the dimly lit living room of the Carter estate—which was now empty of servants, who had all resigned after news of the financial freezing broke—Richard, Victoria, and Evelyn sat surrounding a marble coffee table covered in legal notices and court summonses.
Evelyn’s hands were trembling violently as she held a glass of water. Her arrogance had completely evaporated, replaced by the wild, desperate paranoia of a cornered animal.
“They froze everything, Richard!” Evelyn sobbed, her voice raspy. “The credit cards don't work! The bank won't release the funds for my defense team! They’re going to put me in prison!”
“It’s worse than that,” Richard said, his voice hollow as he stared at a red legal document in his hands. “The federal prosecutors have offered me a plea bargain.”
Victoria gasped, dropping her phone. “What?! Dad, you can’t take a plea bargain! That means admitting guilt!”
“If I don't take it, I’m facing fifteen years for wire fraud and trust embezzlement!” Richard yelled, his face turning purple with stress. “The plea deal requires me to testify against your mother! They know she was the one who signed the forged trust transfer documents!”
Evelyn turned toward her husband, her eyes wide with shock and rage. “You coward! You pathetic coward! I did everything for this family! I built our social standing! And you’re going to throw me to the wolves to save yourself?!”
“You pushed Emily too far, Evelyn!” Richard roared back, standing up and slamming his fist on the coffee table. “I told you to leave her alone! I told you not to cut up that dress! But you couldn't control yourself! You had to humiliate her! And now look what you’ve done—you’ve brought a three-star General and the entire Department of Justice down on our heads!”
“Dad, stop it!” Victoria cried, pulling at her hair. “What about my wedding?! What about my reputation?! Arthur Vance broke off our engagement this morning! His father said he wants nothing to do with our family!”
The heavy mahogany front door of the estate suddenly creaked open.
Stepping into the empty foyer was Emily, accompanied by two federal marshals in dark blue jackets with gold badges pinned to their belts.
Evelyn, Richard, and Victoria froze, staring at Emily as if she were a ghost walking through their ruined hall.
“Emily...” Richard stammered, stepping forward with his hands out. “Emily, please... talk to your father... we can fix this...”
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Emily walked into the living room, her eyes cool and detached. She didn't look at her father, nor did she look at Victoria. Her gaze settled entirely on her mother.
“I’m not here to negotiate, Dad,” Emily said quietly. “I’m here to collect what’s left of my life.”
