Chapter 7 - The Downfall of ThaliaWhile Kyle awaited trial in a county jail cell, Thalia thought she could slip away with the money she had embezzled through her fake consulting fees.
She bought a first-class ticket to Dubai, checked into a luxury hotel near the airport, and prepared to start a new life under a fake identity.
On the night before her flight, while she was enjoying a bottle of expensive champagne in her hotel suite, the door lock clicked.
Four officers from the Financial Crimes Unit, accompanied by my father's head of security, walked into her room.
"Brenda Smith, also known as Thalia Vance," the lead officer announced, pulling out a warrant. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit grand larceny, identity fraud, and corporate extortion."
Thalia dropped her champagne glass, watching it shatter across the carpet. "What?! You can't arrest me! I didn't do anything illegal! Kyle gave me that money willingly!"
My father’s head of security stepped forward with a cold smile. "He gave you that money from corporate accounts that were legally owned by the Calder Family Trust, Ms. Smith. That constitutes theft of Calder funds. And Mr. Calder does not forgive thieves."
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As the officers slapped heavy steel handcuffs onto her wrists, Thalia realized that her dream of luxury had turned into a nightmare. Every single asset she had stolen was seized, every account frozen.
She was sentenced six months later to fifteen years in a federal penitentiary—placed in the very same judicial district where Kyle was serving his eight-year sentence.
