FBI Agent: Mr. Arthur Vance, you are under arrest for federal financial fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy.
The bright morning sun shone brightly across the Miami port terminal. Dozens of police cars, FBI vans, and news camera crews were lined up along the dock as the cruise ship docked.
Arthur Vance was led down the primary gangway in heavy steel handcuffs, surrounded by federal agents. His face was covered with a jacket, but the news cameras caught every single angle of his public disgrace.
Behind him, two local police officers led Liam down the ramp. Liam was wearing standard orange prison scrubs, his head hung low as reporters shouted questions at him.
Reporter 1: Liam! Did you try to assault your bride for her inheritance?!
Reporter 2: Mr. Vance! Is it true your company embezzled millions from private investors?!
Neither of them answered. They were pushed into the back of a black police van, the doors slamming shut with a heavy metallic clang.
I stood near the dock railing, wearing a sharp cream-colored business suit, holding a cup of hot coffee. Sarah stood beside me, holding my purse.
Sarah: Look at them, Maya. They really thought they were untouchable.
Maya: Nobody is untouchable, Sarah. They just thought because I was quiet, I was weak.
Sarah: Your lawyer, Mr. Pendelton, just texted me. He said the court granted an immediate emergency injunction freezing all of Vance Logistics' corporate accounts.
Maya: What about my trust fund?
Sarah: Fully secured. Not a single cent was touched.
My lawyer, Arthur Pendelton, walked over to us, holding a thick leather briefcase.
Mr. Pendelton: Outstanding work yesterday, Maya. That audio recording you provided to the federal prosecutor completely destroyed their defense strategy.
Maya: Are they offering a plea deal?
Mr. Pendelton: Arthur Vance is facing up to fifteen years for wire fraud and corporate embezzlement. Liam is looking at five years for aggravated assault and domestic intimidation.
Sarah: That's amazing news!
Mr. Pendelton: Furthermore, the court has issued a permanent lifetime restraining order against both of them and their associates. They will never be allowed within five hundred yards of you or your business premises again.
Maya: Thank you, Mr. Pendelton. You have no idea how much peace that brings me.
Mr. Pendelton: You saved yourself, Maya. I just handled the paperwork.
He tipped his hat and walked toward the federal vehicles to finish signing the arrest custody documents. I turned back toward the ocean, watching the bright blue waves crash against the concrete pier.
Sarah: So... what are you going to do now? Your whole life was planned around this wedding.
Maya: My life was planned around a lie, Sarah. Now I get to plan it around the truth.
Sarah: And what is the truth?
Maya: The truth is I don't need a man to protect me. I can protect myself.