Chapter 8 - The Fall of the House of Carter
“Security! Stop them!” Melissa shrieked into the microphone, losing all her sweet composure. “Those people are intruders! That man is an impostor! My father is dead!”
Two private security guards rushed toward us, but Federal Agent Vance stepped forward, flashing a silver badge that instantly halted them in their tracks.
“United States Marshals Service,” Agent Vance announced in a booming voice. “Everyone remain in your seats. This proceeding is now under federal jurisdiction.”
Hannah stepped forward, opening her briefcase right in front of the head board member.
“My name is Hannah Vance,” she said, her voice clear, resonant, and overflowing with power. “Three years ago, I was wrongfully accused of stealing two million dollars from this corporation. Today, I present the forensic banking audit verified by the Department of Justice.”
She slammed a thick stack of documents onto the mahogany table.
“This document outlines thirty-six illegal wire transfers executed by Melissa Carter and her husband, Greg Carter,” Hannah announced, pointing directly at Melissa, who was leaning against the podium, hyperventilating. “It includes the offshore routing numbers, the forged psychiatric hold orders, and the fraudulent death certificate filed for Walter Vance.”
The media cameras flashed wildly. Reporters were shouting, typing furiously on their laptops, capturing the collapse of one of Charlotte's most prominent families in real-time.
My father raised his good left hand, pointing his finger straight at his daughter.
“M-M-Monster,” Walter managed to utter clearly into the silence of the room. The single word resonated off the high ceilings like a final judgment.
Federal agents stepped out from the side doors, surrounding the podium.
“Melissa Carter,” Agent Vance announced, expanding a pair of steel handcuffs. “You are under arrest for federal bank fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, insurance fraud, and attempted murder.”
As the cold steel clicked around Melissa’s wrists, she looked at me, her eyes wide with desperate panic. “Ethan! Please! I’m your sister! They manipulated me! Greg made me do it!”
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I stood before her, looking down with complete indifference.
“You threw our father into an alley like trash, Melissa,” I said softly. “You don't have a brother anymore.”
