Chapter 7 - The Arrest at Midnight
Two uniformed Chicago police officers, coordinating with the federal investigators, stepped into the restaurant holding heavy steel handcuffs.
"Richard Vance, you are under arrest for grand corporate embezzlement, wire fraud, and tax evasion," the officer declared, pulling Richard's arms behind his expensive suit jacket and clicking the cuffs shut.
The entire dining room watched in stunned silence as the arrogant manager was marched out into the freezing snow, his luxury lifestyle entirely obliterated in less than twenty minutes.
Ethan stood up, turning his attention to the hostess who was cowering behind the reservation podium, tears ruining her makeup.
"You are also terminated," Ethan stated with calm authority. "And Mercer Global will ensure you never work in hospitality management in this city again."
The hostess sobbed, grabbing her coat and fleeing out the side door into the winter night.
The restaurant staff, who had long suffered under Richard's cruel management, erupted into quiet, respectful applause for their Chairman.
Ethan turned back to the booth, his terrifying, authoritative demeanor melting away the second he looked back at Maya and Lily.
May you like
The digital clock on the wall shifted to 11:59 PM. The crowd began to chant the final countdown to the new year.
👉 Read Part 8 to see how Ethan celebrated the final seconds of the year.
