Chapter 3: The House of Lies Begins to Fall
Meanwhile, Easter dinner continued at the Whitmore estate.
Richard poured himself another drink.
Margaret instructed the staff to clean the blood from the living room rug before sunset.
"The guests don't need reminders," she said.
Before anyone could begin cleaning, flashing lights appeared outside.
Richard smirked.
"I told you. The Chief is probably here to arrest Arthur."
But the arriving vehicles didn't belong to the local police.
Dark SUVs surrounded the estate.
Federal agents stepped out.
The local Chief of Police hurried outside, visibly confused.
A woman wearing a navy windbreaker approached him.
"We're executing federal warrants. Your cooperation is required."
Richard's smile disappeared.
Within minutes, agents secured Lily's phone.
The cracked screen had captured nearly everything.
Richard's threats.
Margaret's attempts to block Arthur.
Several guests silently watching Lily on the floor.
One witness quietly admitted,
"We were afraid."
Another lowered his head.
May you like
"We should have stopped him."
The silence that had protected Richard for years suddenly became evidence against him.
