Julian dropped down to his knees beside Clara, his hands grabbing her shoulders with violent force. Evelyn stood frozen nearby, her wine glass trembling in her manicured hand as she sensed the sudden change in the air. Julian leaned his face just inches from Clara's, his teeth clenched as he yelled over her choked gasps. He could not understand how eighteen million dollars, the entire fortune he had spent three years systematically stealing from his wife's family trust, had vanished in a single second.
Julian: What did you do?! What did you do to my accounts, Clara?!
Clara: I... I called someone... twenty minutes ago...
Julian: Who could you possibly call?! You have no friends left! Your lawyers gave up on you!
Evelyn: Julian, what is happening? Is the money really gone? Tell me you are joking!
Julian: Shut up, Evelyn! Clara, give me your phone! Who did you speak to?!
Clara: Someone... who knows... what you did to her...
Julian grabbed Clara's wrist, searching her wheelchair cushions frantically until he pulled out the small burner phone she had hidden. He checked the call log, but the last outgoing call was saved only as a single asterisk symbol. Fear like he had never felt before washed over Julian's body. Three years ago, Clara's wealthy mother, Victoria Sterling, had allegedly died in a sudden boating accident off the coast of Florida. Victoria had been the sole owner of Sterling Enterprises, a global real estate company worth hundreds of millions. Following her disappearance, Julian had presented a signed power of attorney document, taking complete control of the family estate while keeping Clara isolated in this sprawling mansion. He told everyone Clara was mentally unstable from grief and physically unable to manage her own life. But the truth was far dirtier, and Julian knew that if anyone investigated the transfer of funds, he would spend the rest of his life in a federal prison.
Julian: You think some cheap lawyer can stop me? I own the trust agreement! I own this house!
Clara: You own... nothing... Julian...
Evelyn: Julian, listen to me, we need to pack our things right now if the legal accounts are frozen!
Julian: Quiet! Nobody is leaving this room until I fix this line with the bank board!
Suddenly, the heavy double front doors at the end of the grand foyer burst open with a loud, violent slam that echoed through the entire mansion. The sound bounced off the tall white walls and the large framed American flag artwork hanging in the living room. Synchronized, heavy footsteps clicked against the glossy marble floor, coming fast toward the living room. Julian snapped his head around, his heart pounding against his ribs as Evelyn dropped her wine glass, sending red liquid splashing across the pristine floor. Through the arched doorway stepped three figures. Flanked by two massive male security guards in dark suits was an older Caucasian woman dressed in a sharp, immaculate white suit. She wore an American flag lapel pin on her jacket, her posture upright and filled with absolute power. Julian's jaw dropped as his eyes met hers, his body freezing in total horror.