Chapter 5 - The Federal Extermination“Who is that?” Ethan whispered, scrambling to his feet, his eyes darting frantically toward the entryway.
“That would be the consequences of your actions,” I replied, gently resting my hand on Noah’s head to shield his ears.
The heavy front door was unlocked from the outside—I had given the access code to my head of security earlier that morning. The door swung open, and the entryway was instantly flooded with a team of stern-faced men and women wearing navy blue windbreakers with stark yellow FBI lettering on the back. They were flanked by two of my top corporate attorneys holding thick leather briefcases.
“Ethan Vance and Diane Vance?” the lead federal agent barked, stepping into the living room with his hand resting casually on his utility belt.
Diane screamed and tried to bolt toward the kitchen, but a female agent effortlessly intercepted her, grabbing her by the arm and spinning her around. The sharp, metallic click of handcuffs snapping shut echoed through the pristine kitchen.
“Diane Vance, you are under arrest for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering,” the agent recited in a bored, clinical tone.
Ethan didn't run. He was completely frozen, his brain unable to process the absolute, spectacular destruction of his life. Two agents closed in on him, grabbing his wrists and wrenching them behind his back.
“Maddie! Tell them to stop!” Ethan shrieked as the cold steel bit into his wrists. “You can't do this to me! I built this life with you! I’m the only reason your company survived the merger last year!”
I stood up slowly, cradling Noah securely against my chest. I walked over to where Ethan was being held, stopping just inches from his face.
“You didn't build anything, Ethan,” I said, my voice echoing with unyielding authority. “You were just a parasite feeding off the empire I constructed. You managed a team of thirty staff members and couldn't even keep your own consulting division profitable without leeching off my algorithms. I tolerated you because I thought you loved me. Now that I know you don't, you are entirely obsolete.”
“I’ll ruin you!” Ethan spat, spittle flying from his lips as the agents dragged him backward toward the door. “When I get out of this, I will take everything from you! I’ll take Noah!”
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I smiled—a chilling, triumphant expression. “By the time you get out of federal prison, Ethan, Noah won't even know your name. And neither will anyone else in this city.”
I watched without a single ounce of regret as they dragged my ex-husband and his mother out of my house, their frantic, pathetic screams fading into the cool afternoon air. The heavy oak door clicked shut, plunging the house back into a beautiful, perfect silence.
