Chapter 12 - The Fall of the Dynasty
The agent looked down at Eleanor with utter disdain. “Mrs. Ashford, your family’s name carries zero weight here. In fact, you need to pack your things. This motel room was booked using a canceled Ashford credit card. The manager has pressed charges for theft of services.”
As Nathan was dragged out of the dingy motel in handcuffs, local news crews who had been tipped off by federal informants were waiting in the parking lot.
Cameras flashed continuously as the disgraced heir, covered in carpet dust and cheap alcohol, was shoved into the back of a black law enforcement SUV.
By evening, the news anchor’s voice echoed across millions of television screens nationwide:
“BREAKING NEWS: Former real estate tycoon Nathan Ashford has been arrested on federal corruption charges. Prosecutors confirm he faces up to twenty years in federal prison following a whistle-blower report filed by Brooks Holdings CEO, Evelyn Brooks.”
Sitting in her penthouse living room, Evelyn watched the news broadcast calmly. She held a warm cup of chamomile tea, her father’s old gold pocket watch resting on the table beside her.
Her phone chimed with a text message from her head of security: The Ashford accounts have been frozen. The estate is fully secured.
Evelyn picked up her father’s pocket watch, running her thumb gently over the engraved initials on the cover: C.B.
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“It’s over, Dad,” Evelyn whispered softly to the quiet room. “Your work is safe.”
👉 But the next morning, a high-profile visitor arrived at Brooks Holdings, demanding a private meeting with the CEO.
