Chapter 17 - THE RETURN OF AN UNCLE
Just as their life seemed completely serene, a ghost from Lilianna’s past made one last desperate attempt to claw his way back.
Arthur Vance—the uncle who had stolen Lilianna’s trust fund years ago—had been hiding in Canada under an alias. Having run out of money, he had returned to Chicago after reading about Lilianna’s rise to power, believing he could blackmail her for a quiet payout.
He waited near the private underground parking garage of the Blackwood Foundation building at 7:00 PM.
As Lilianna walked toward her armored Maybach accompanied by two guards, Arthur stepped out from behind a concrete pillar.
"Lilianna!" he called out, his voice thin and desperate.
The two guards instantly drew their sidearms, stepping in front of Lilianna.
"Stand down," Lilianna ordered quietly, holding up a hand. She recognized the gaunt, aging man immediately. "Arthur Vance."
"Lilianna... my dear niece!" Arthur stammered, holding his hands up defensively. "Look at you! A billionaire’s wife! I... I heard about your success. I knew you had the Vance blood in you!"
"You dumped me at an orphanage when I was four years old and stole my parents' legacy," Lilianna said, her voice dropping into a register of terrifying calm. "Why are you here?"
"I'm sick, Lilianna... I have debts," Arthur begged, taking a cautious step closer. "Just give me two million dollars. That's pocket change for your husband! Give me the money, or I’ll go to the press and tell them how the new 'saint of Chicago' let her own uncle starve on the streets!"
A low, cold chuckle echoed from the darkness behind Arthur.
Victor stepped out from the private elevator bay, accompanied by Mikhail.
"Go to the press, Arthur," Victor said smoothly, walking up until his imposing six-foot-four frame completely towered over the shaking old man. "Please. I would love to read the front-page story about how the Chicago Police Department finally apprehended the fugitive who embezzled eight million dollars from St. Jude Orphanage twenty years ago."
Arthur’s face turned gray. "W-what?"
"My legal team filed the federal arrest warrants three weeks ago, Arthur," Lilianna said softly, stepping up beside her husband. "We were just waiting for you to cross back into state lines."
Two unmarked police sedans pulled up behind Arthur, their red and blue lights flashing against the concrete walls. Officers stepped out, slapping heavy steel handcuffs onto Arthur’s wrists.
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"Lilianna! Please! I'm your family!" Arthur shrieked as he was dragged away.
"My family is waiting for me at home," Lilianna replied without looking back.
