Chapter 3 - The Expulsion of the ParasitesThe heavy click of steel handcuffs snapping around Christopher’s wrists echoed loudly through the marble kitchen. For a terrifying second, Christopher looked frantically at his mother, expecting her to pull some string, to write a check, to fix the nightmare. But Beatrice sat paralyzed, her diamond bracelet clattering against the marble countertop as the reality of their sudden powerlessness crashed down upon her.

"You can't do this! Do you know who my family is?! Do you know who Richard Huxley was?!" Beatrice shrieked, finally losing her upper-class composure as she stood up from her stool, pointing a shaking finger at the officers. "This is a mistake! Arrest her! She's the criminal!"

"Ma'am, I suggest you step away from the counter," Sergeant Miller’s partner warned firmly, guiding a sputtering, furious Christopher toward the front door.

As Christopher was led past Savannah, his face twisted into a mask of pure, venomous hatred. "You think you've won, Savannah?! You'll never get rid of me! The moment I make bail, I'll strip you dry, I'll take every cent—"

"You won't make bail, Christopher," Savannah interrupted quietly, her voice cutting through his threats like cold steel. "Every single asset you tried to hide offshore has already been frozen by federal injunctions. You are legally, financially, and professionally bankrupt."

With a final shove, Christopher was escorted out of the house and pushed into the back of the cruiser. Beatrice stood alone in the center of the immaculate kitchen, her cream-colored suit suddenly looking like a costume from a play that had just been canceled.

Sergeant Miller handed Savannah back her laptop and folder. "We'll need your formal statement at the station later today, ma'am. Do you need medical attention for that burn?"

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"I'm fine, Sergeant. Thank you," Savannah replied smoothly.

She turned her gaze toward Beatrice, who was trembling with suppressed rage. "You have two hours to pack your bags, Beatrice. The guest suite is closed. And your 'once-in-a-lifetime European tour' has officially been canceled."