Chapter 9 - The Handcuffs on the Lace
Lead Federal Agent Marcus Vance strode through the parted crowd, his heavy boots clacking against the marble.
“Claire Ashford,” Agent Vance announced, unholstering steel handcuffs. “You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, wire fraud, grand larceny, and attempted assassination.”
Claire pulled back violently, knocking over a towering white floral arrangement that crashed to the floor, scattering white roses into the pools of spilled wine.
“Don't touch me!” Claire screamed, her tiara sliding crookedly across her pale hair. “Do you know who I am? Take your hands off me!”
The marshals didn't hesitate. With practiced precision, they seized Claire’s arms and snapped the cold steel cuffs around her wrists, locking them tightly over the delicate embroidered lace of her bridal sleeves.
The media photographers, who had been invited to capture the "rehearsal dinner of the century," rushed forward, camera flashes illuminating Claire’s ruined, tear-streaked face like lightning.
Julian was cuffed beside her, weeping openly as he was pushed toward the double doors.
As Claire was hauled past Adrian, she locked eyes with him, spitting venom. “You’ll regret this, Adrian! You’ll die alone!”
Adrian didn't even blink. He looked at her as if she were a total stranger, a ghost from a nightmare he had just awakened from.
“The only thing I regret,” Adrian replied with ruthless finality, “is that I ever allowed you to set foot in my family’s home. Get her out of my sight.”
Claire was dragged into the rain, screaming profanities into the night as police sirens wailed in the distance.
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👉 *Click to read Part 10: How Adrian rewrote Mara’s destiny and found the truth!*
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