DIVIDED ALLEGIANCE

THE BEGINNING OF THE END.

The air in the Senate building crackled with tension, unspoken accusations creating a palpable chill.

"All of these charges against you? This is outrageous!" Mayor Skylyn exclaimed incredulously, slamming her tablet onto the table.

"What is your stance now, Senator?" Governor Ellish finally spoke, his voice cutting through the heavy silence that had enveloped the room since their hasty assembly. The internet had exploded with news of the accusations against Senator Fabian, detailing a shocking litany of crimes.

"Senator," Governor Ellish repeated, his tone sharper when Fabian remained unresponsive.
Senator Fabian finally looked up, his composure outwardly calm, yet a flicker of fear danced in his eyes.

"Murder, drug trafficking, human and child trafficking, money laundering, bribery, illegal arms trafficking, and so many more I can't even recall. What is happening? Why is all of this circulating online?" Governor Ellish demanded, his voice firm and unwavering.

Fabian remained silent.
"Senator Fabian!" Governor Ellish gritted out, irritation lacing his tone.

"I have contacted my lawyer," Fabian answered simply. Ellish scoffed.

"Do you think getting out of all this will be easy? Is any of it true?" Just then, a loud telephone beep pierced the tense atmosphere. Governor Ellish answered it, and as he held the receiver to his ear, the doors burst open, startling everyone. It was the police..

Every person in the room, including Fabian, immediately rose to their feet.
"Senator Fabian, Police District," a man in a suit announced, flashing his ID. "You are under arrest for bribery and corruption, money laundering, child and woman trafficking, drug trafficking, illegal arms trafficking, kidnapping, murder, and so on. You have the right to remain silent; anything you say or do can and will be used against you in a court of law," the officer leading the group recited the Miranda rights.

Without hesitation, two officers moved towards Fabian, clamping handcuffs onto his wrists.

Murmurings erupted throughout the room as the scene unfolded. Senator Fabian didn't utter a single word as they apprehended him, but the utter defeat etched on his face was undeniable.

As they roughly escorted him out, his final words were a firm instruction:

"Call Adrian Alexander." Then, they dragged him away like the criminal he was.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Seated comfortably in the middle of her living room, Arianna Rodriguez slowly sipped her tea, her eyes glued to the latest and most explosive news dominating the internet – or rather, the entire nation. At this moment, Arianna knew she had to buckle down, and tighten her metaphorical seatbelt.

She was well aware of the kind of people she was dealing with. The sheer scale of Senator Fabian's atrocious crimes left no room for doubt about the danger she had willingly stepped into.

It wasn't fear she felt, but rather a surge of even greater determination fueled by the powerful evidence she had obtained. Arresting him was just the initial step; ensuring he faced the full consequences of his actions was the ultimate goal. He deserved to rot in hell..

As Arianna watched the live footage of Senator Fabian being led out of the Senate building in handcuffs, she detected faint footsteps behind her.

"Love," she called out as soon as she recognized Richard. He had just returned from work, still dressed in his professional attire.

"Welcome," Arianna greeted warmly, her smile genuine. She walked straight into his arms for a hug.

"I was surprised to see your car outside. Free day?" he joked, patting her hair affectionately before placing a tender kiss on her forehead

"Mmm, not much work today," she replied, taking off his jacket.

"How come I didn't know?" Richard asked, a slight frown creasing his brow.

"I know you, that's why I didn't say a word. I just wanted to stay indoors today."

"Then too bad, love. Now that you're here, you're coming golfing with Andrew," Richard said, and she laughed.

"Okay, right now?" she asked, and he nodded.

"Yes, but let's change first."

(Writer's Note: Short chapter, I know, and I apologize. I wanted to get something out to you all today despite being tired. I promise to make it up to you in the next chapter! Happy Reading, lovelies! Don't forget to vote and comment! 💞)