Chapter 5 - Wheels Up
"No," Michael whispered, his eyes darting frantically between his ex-wife and his brother. "No, you can't do this. That's illegal. I'll sue you. I'll destroy you both!"
"You'll have a hard time doing that from a federal holding cell," Anna noted smoothly.
She gestured behind Michael.
Approaching through the terminal were three men in dark windbreakers. Federal agents.
"While you were busy sleeping with your assistant," Anna said, looking down at him one last time, "Julian and I were auditing the Cayman Island accounts you used to hide the firm's money. The SEC and the FBI have the un-redacted ledgers, Michael."
"Anna, please!" Michael shrieked as the federal agents grabbed his arms, yanking him up from the carpet. "Don't do this! I'm your husband!"
"I don't have a husband," Anna said.
She reached into her pocket, pulled out her diamond wedding band, and tossed it casually onto the terminal floor. It rolled until it hit Michael’s Italian leather shoe.
"Have a lovely life, Michael. I hope Marissa's baby has her eyes."
Anna turned her back on him, slipping her hand effortlessly into the crook of Julian’s arm. Together, the new titans of Vance Capital walked down the jet bridge, handing their tickets to the stunned gate agent.
May you like
Behind them, Michael Vance's screams echoed through Terminal 4 as the handcuffs clicked shut around his wrists.
The heavy door of the jet bridge closed with a solid, satisfying thud. The toxic chapter of Anna Sterling's life was officially locked away, and as the Air France jet climbed into the bright morning sky, she ordered a glass of vintage champagne and finally breathed free.
