The lead federal agent stepped up to Julian, pulling a folded paper warrant from inside his coat pocket.
Federal Agent: Julian Vance? You are under arrest for federal wire fraud, grand larceny, and corporate embezzlement.
Julian: This is a mistake! My family owns this estate! You can't arrest me at my own gala!
Federal Agent: Turn around and place your hands behind your back, sir.
Julian: David! Do something! Call my father's divorce lawyer! Call anyone!
David: There's nothing I can do, Julian. The court placed an emergency freeze on all Vance Global accounts five minutes ago. I can't even accept a retainer from you right now.
The metallic click of the handcuffs rang out through the silent ballroom. The guests began pulling out their smartphones, filming every second of Julian being led away in disgrace.
Julian: Stop filming! Put those phones away!
Guest 1: Is that really Julian Vance? I thought he was worth three billion dollars!
Guest 2: His ex-fiancée just exposed his entire company! Look at the news report on Twitter!
Outside the hotel, I stood near the curb as my private driver opened the door to a black luxury sedan. Rain began to fall softly against the pavement, reflecting the bright neon lights of the city skyline.
Marcus stepped out from the passenger side, handing me an umbrella and a warm wool coat.
Marcus: Are you okay, Clara? Your cheek looks sore.
Clara: I'm fine, Marcus. The cuts on my face healed three years ago. Tonight was just about settling the bill.
Marcus: The federal prosecutor just confirmed that Julian's bail request will be denied tomorrow morning. He's looking at twenty years in federal prison.
Clara: What about his mother, Eleanor?
Marcus: She tried to leave the country on a private jet an hour ago. Customs officers intercepted her at the airport terminal. Her passport has been revoked.
I took a deep breath, looking back at the grand glass entrance of the hotel. I could see Julian being pushed into the back of a black police cruiser, his head ducked down to hide from the flashing camera lights of the news reporters.
Clara: He really thought my silence meant I was weak.
Marcus: He forgot who taught you how to run a business.
Clara: Let's go to the office. We have a lot of work to do to restore my father's name.
I slid into the leather back seat of the car, closing the door behind me. The heavy engine roared to life as we pulled away from the curb, leaving the gala and Julian's ruined reputation far behind us in the dark night.