Chapter 5 - The Fall of the Vance Dynasty
Victoria lunged forward, her hands clawing toward the papers in Detective Miller’s grip, but two officers caught her by the elbows, spinning her around and forcing her arms behind her back over the torn lace of her designer gown.
The sharp, metallic click of the handcuffs locking around her wrists echoed through the grand nave of the cathedral.
"Get your filthy hands off me!" Victoria shrieked, kicking her heels against the marble floor as the officers marched her down the center aisle. "Daddy! Do something! Call the governor! Call our lawyers!"
Julian Vance stood frozen near the front pew, his head bowed, his hands shaking as his phone buzzed incessantly with notifications.
"Mr. Julian Vance?" Detective Miller called out, stepping up to the pew. "You are also required to accompany us downtown for questioning regarding unauthorized wire transfers routed through your commercial logistics accounts to fund the transport agency."
Julian slumped into the wooden pew, offering no resistance as an officer stepped up to escort him out. Eleanor Vance buried her face in her silk handkerchief, weeping in absolute social ruin as the guests parted like the Red Sea, watching the entire Vance family being marched out into the blinding glare of press cameras and flashing police lights gathering outside the chapel.
Lucas stood at the foot of the altar, his posture straight, his expression an impenetrable fortress of stone. He looked up at the officiant, an elderly priest who stood holding his prayer book with trembling hands.
May you like
"I believe," Lucas said softly, his voice cutting through the remaining whispers in the room, "that this ceremony is concluded."
Without waiting for a response, Lucas turned on his heel, walked past the sea of shocked guests, and stepped into the private vestry where his daughter was waiting.
