Chapter 12 - The Reckoning at JFK
Rain lashed across the tarmac of the private aviation terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
A sleek Gulfstream jet sat with its engines whining, preparing for immediate taxi. Near the boarding stairs, Arthur Kensington and Sabrina were frantically loading heavy metallic briefcases. Preston Vance stood under an umbrella, his hands trembling violently as he dialed his phone over and over.
"He blocked our accounts in London!" Preston screamed over the engine noise. "We have nothing left except what's on this plane!"
"Shut up and get on board!" Arthur Kensington snarled, pushing his daughter up the stairs. "Once we land in Zurich, Moretti can't touch us!"
Suddenly, the roar of multiple high-powered engines drowned out the jet.
Four black armored SUVs smashed through the security gates of the hangar, skidding onto the wet tarmac and boxing in the Gulfstream jet completely.
The jet’s pilot immediately cut the engines as a dozen federal marshals, backed by Dante’s security force, poured out of the vehicles with weapons drawn.
"Federal agents! Step away from the aircraft!" a megaphone blasted.
Preston dropped his umbrella, paralyzed with terror.
From the lead SUV, Dante Moretti stepped onto the tarmac, unfazed by the pouring rain. He opened the passenger door, offering his hand to Alex.
Alex stepped out, holding the leather ledger in one hand and the sealed federal warrants in the other.
Sabrina shrieked, backing down the stairs in pure panic. Arthur Kensington fell to his knees on the wet asphalt, realizing that fifty years of family power, prestige, and stolen billions had just been reduced to handcuffs and prison jump suits.
"Alexandra!" Preston cried out, dropping to his knees and crawling toward her through the puddles. "Please! Tell them you made a mistake! I loved you, Alex! We can start over! I did it all for us!"
Alex stopped two feet from where Preston knelt in the dirt. She looked down at him with utter, chilling indifference.
"You didn't do it for us, Preston," Alex said, her voice clear and merciless. "You did it because you're a coward who steals other people's brilliance to feel powerful. And today... you pay every single debt."
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Two federal agents grabbed Preston by his arms, yanking him up and snapping steel handcuffs around his wrists.
As Preston was dragged toward the police cruiser, screaming her name in pathetic desperation, Alex didn't even turn to watch. She looked at Dante, whose dark eyes were fixed on her with boundless pride and adoration.
