Chapter 11: The Counter-Strategy
The main study had been transformed into an impromptu war room. Spread across the large mahogany desk were architectural blueprints of the estate, digital access logs, and financial dossiers detailing Julian Vance's recent movements. Marcus stood at the head of the table, his arms braced against the wood, while David and a private investigator named Henderson briefed them on the situation.
"Julian isn't operating alone," Henderson explained, tapping a pencil against a printed photograph of a downtown commercial warehouse. "Our financial traces show he's been funneling small amounts of capital through offshore shell companies, trying to quietly buy up outstanding debt on Vance Corporation assets. He thinks he can force a hostile takeover by exploiting vulnerabilities in the family's operational continuity."
Marcus nodded slowly, his mind calculating every possible variable. "He used Sarah's family debt as leverage to infiltrate the house, hoping to create enough internal chaos to distract me while his legal team filed motions in federal court."
"Exactly," Henderson agreed. "He wanted a scandal. A high-profile theft within the Vance household would leak to the press, tanking the stock price just enough ahead of tomorrow's shareholder vote."
Evelyn stepped forward, her red dress rustling softly in the quiet room. Her eyes burned with a fierce, protective intelligence. "So this was never really about the jewelry. The diamonds were just a prop to create a media circus and discredit our household management."
"Precisely, Mrs. Vance," Henderson said. "And right now, Julian thinks his plan is working to perfection."
Marcus looked up, a cold, calculated smile touching the corners of his mouth. "Then let's feed him what he expects to see, right up until the moment we pull the rug out from under him."
David leaned forward. "What do you have in mind, Mr. Vance?"
"We let Sarah make her final contact," Marcus instructed calmly. "She tells Julian that the theft was discovered, the maid was arrested by the private staff, and the house is in complete disarray. Draw him out of hiding. Make him believe he needs to come to the estate in person tonight to collect his stolen property and finalize the leverage."
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Henderson raised an eyebrow. "That's a massive security risk, bringing him onto the property."
"Not if we control every single variable," Marcus replied firmly. "David, I want the perimeter locked down tight. No media, no police sirens until he steps foot inside the main foyer and makes his confession on record. We end this family feud tonight, once and for all."
