Chapter 7 - The Arrest at the Front Gate
Four marked cruisers from the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office and two black armored Suburbans screeched to a halt in the circular driveway.
Senior Detective Marcus Vance and six armed tactical deputies marched up the stone steps, weapons drawn at low-ready.
"SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT! OPEN THE DOOR!" Detective Vance bellowed.
Ryan scrambled to the door, throwing it open, his face pale with hysterical rage. "What is the meaning of this?! This is private property! I am Ryan Vance!"
"You are under arrest, Mr. Vance," Detective Vance announced.
Two tactical deputies stepped forward, grabbed Ryan by his collar, slammed him face-first onto the marble porch, and twisted his arms behind his back, clicking heavy steel handcuffs shut.
CLACK.
"Mom! Help me!" Ryan screamed as his nose was pressed into the stone.
Diane rushed to the doorway, screaming like a banshee: "Get your hands off my son! You thugs have no right to enter this house!"
A female deputy stepped inside, pinning Diane against the wall and snapping iron cuffs around her wrists.
"Diane Vance," the deputy stated coldly. "You are under arrest for Aggravated Felony Child Abuse and Kidnapping."
Arthur Sterling and Emily stepped out of the black Suburban, walking up the driveway beneath the morning sun.
When Ryan saw Emily walking beside the legendary billionaire Arthur Sterling, his jaw dropped in sheer, unadulterated horror.
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"A... Arthur Sterling...?" Ryan stammered, his voice cracking into a high, pathetic squeak. "Emily... your father is Arthur Sterling...?!"
"You thought you were extorting a lonely orphan, Ryan," Emily said, looking down at him with cold, untouchable disgust. "You forgot that lions protect their cubs."
