Attorney Croft immediately took two steps away from Victoria, raising his hands in a gesture of absolute surrender. "I am acting solely as external counsel. I have no knowledge of any fraudulent activity."
"Harrison!" Victoria shrieked, her voice cracking as the cold steel cuffs clicked tightly around her wrists. "You coward!"
The state officers guided Victoria toward the door. As she was escorted past the metal table, she turned her head, glaring at Cricket with a mixture of burning hatred and utter disbelief.
"You ruined me..." Victoria whispered through gritted teeth.
Cricket stood up slowly from her chair. She adjusted the collar of her mint-green uniform shirt, her dark eyes looking at the fallen executive with quiet, unshakeable dignity.
"You ruined yourself, Victoria," Cricket said softly. "You thought because I wore a uniform, I had no power. But truth doesn't care what coat you wear."
Act IV: The Clear Water
Chapter 7: The New Foundation
Two months later.
The Central Atrium of the Grand Plaza Mall was quiet in the early morning light. The brass fountain surged rhythmically, its clear water reflecting the amber rays of the morning sun as it poured through the glass skylights.
Cricket stood on the second-floor balcony, looking down at the atrium floor.