Chapter 8 - The Trial Prep and Betrayal
The federal detention facility visiting room was divided by a thick pane of reinforced ballistic glass.
Victoria Vance sat on the metal stool on the other side, wearing an orange jumpsuit that clashed violently with her usually immaculate sense of style. Her hair was unwashed, her face pale and drawn. The sophisticated socialite of Manhattan high society was entirely gone, replaced by a desperate, cornered criminal.
The heavy steel door on the opposite side opened, and Arthur Pendelton—now also wearing an orange jumpsuit—was led into the booth by two guards. He sat down heavily, glaring across the glass at Victoria with naked hatred.
"You told me Julian was weak," Pendelton hissed through the intercom speaker, his voice dripping with venom. "You told me his smart-home network was a joke and that we had total control of the board."
Victoria glared back at him through the glass, her fingernails digging into the wooden shelf. "Shut up, Arthur. How was I supposed to know he was playing the long game? He let us walk right into his trap."
"My career is over! My assets are seized! I'm facing fifteen years in a federal penitentiary because of your arrogant schemes!" Pendelton slammed his fist against the glass partition. "I'm talking to the U.S. Attorney tomorrow morning. I'm giving them every single offshore account number, every forged signature, and every instruction you gave me to siphon those funds."
Victoria’s eyes widened in horror. "You wouldn't. If you sink, you sink alone, Arthur—we're in this together!"
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"We were partners in crime," Pendelton sneered, standing up as the guards grabbed his shoulders to drag him back to his cell. "Now, I'm saving myself. Enjoy your trial, Victoria. Hope orange is your color."
As Pendelton was dragged away, Victoria slumped forward against the glass, her chest heaving with silent, helpless sobs. For the first time in her life, she realized that betrayal has no loyalty—and the empire she had tried to build on lies had finally collapsed entirely under its own weight.
