“Senator Sterling,” another agent called out, blocking his path.

“This is an outrage,” Sterling said, though his voice lacked conviction. “I am a United States Senator.”

“Not for much longer,” the agent said, producing another set of handcuffs.

Victoria stood perfectly still, watching her father get handcuffed.

She did not speak.

She did not cry.

When an agent approached her, she handed him a small, silver flash drive from her clutch purse.

“Everything you need is on here,” Victoria said, her voice flat. “The offshore accounts, the transaction logs, and the wiretap recordings.”

Senator Sterling stared at his daughter, his mouth hanging open.

“Victoria, what have you done?” he hissed.

“I survived, Father,” she said softly.

Alexander kept his arm wrapped around my waist, shielding me from the cameras that some of the guests had begun to point at us.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, looking down at me.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Just get me out of here.”

We walked past the agents who were leading Julian and Senator Sterling away.

Julian looked at Alexander as they crossed paths.

The hatred in his eyes was cold and deep.