“Marcus,” I said calmly, the silence of the house finally returning. “Are the annulment papers ready?”
Marcus smiled, a terrifyingly proud grin. “Sign right here, Maya. You’re officially a free woman.”
Chapter 5: The Ashes of Tyrants
Over the next six months, the names Derek and Evelyn Vance transitioned rapidly from fixtures in the Los Angeles high-society pages to pathetic cautionary tales whispered in federal courtrooms.
The legal and financial fallout was apocalyptic, a masterclass in systematic destruction.
Presented with the high-definition video and audio of the violent extortion, perfectly corroborated by the financial logs of their massive offshore debt Marcus had secured, the federal prosecutor offered absolutely zero leniency. There were no plea deals.