Julian stood over his groaning brother, his chest heaving as he pointed toward the basement hatch. The two heavy guards who had locked the front doors earlier stepped into the room, their faces pale as they looked from the blood on Arthur's forehead to the open hole in the floor.
Julian: Throw him down there with her.
Guard 1: Sir... this is your brother. And the authorities are already auditing the accounts...
Julian: I don't care who he is! You work for me! Throw him in the hole or you will be named as accomplices in everything!
Guard 2: Mr. Vance, this is getting out of hand. We signed up for estate protection, not this.
Julian: I pay you five hundred thousand dollars a year! Pick him up!
The guards hesitated, exchange a tense look. Before they could make a move, a loud banging shattered the quiet of the mansion. Someone was slamming heavy fists against the front entrance doors, followed by the sharp, authoritative shout of a police megaphone outside.
Police Officer (Outside): Julian Vance! This is the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Local Police Department! Open the doors immediately!
Julian went completely white. He spun around toward the window, pulling back the heavy drapes. The long driveway was filled with flashing red and blue lights. At least six police cruisers and two dark federal SUVs were parked on the lawn, surrounding the mansion completely.
Julian: How... how did they get here so fast?
From the top of the stairs, a tiny voice echoed down into the foyer. Lily stood near the landing, holding a small pink iPad in her hands, her cheeks wet with tears.
Lily: I pushed the emergency button on my tablet, Daddy. You said if bad men ever came to the house, the button calls the police right away.
Julian: Lily... what did you do?!
Lily: You were being mean to Mommy and Uncle Arthur! You are the bad man!
Julian took a step toward the stairs, but the two security guards immediately stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
Guard 1: Stand down, Mr. Vance. It's over.
Julian: Get out of my way! I own this house! I pay your salaries!
Guard 2: Not anymore, sir. Move back.
Outside, the heavy iron front doors were struck with a tactical battering ram. On the second hit, the deadbolts snapped with a violent crunch, and the front doors burst open. Armed officers in tactical gear flooded into the foyer, their weapons raised and flashlights cutting through the dim entryway.
Police Officer: Hands up! Drop to your knees! Do it now!
Julian raised his hands slowly, his face drained of all color as the officers swarmed the room, pushing him face-first onto the cold marble floor and clicking heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists.
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