Chapter 4 - Jurisdiction
The crisp autumn air outside the restaurant felt suffocating as Valeria, flanked by Arthur and Beatrice, stepped past the swinging glass doors. Two men in dark suits stood near a black sedan, their badges glinting under the harsh streetlamps. Passersby cast curious glances, slowing their pace to catch a glimpse of the unfolding drama.
"Valeria Vance?" the taller agent asked, flashing his credentials with practiced efficiency. "I’m Special Agent Miller, Federal Bureau of Investigation. We need you to come down to the Federal Plaza to answer some questions regarding an ongoing white-collar fraud investigation tied to Vance Capital holdings."
Arthur stepped forward instantly, placing a protective, authoritative hand on his daughter's shoulder. His blue suit jacket radiated quiet power, a stark contrast to the federal investigator's tactical urgency.
"My daughter is a private citizen, Agent Miller, and whatever business Vance Capital conducts is managed through our board," Arthur said, his tone icy and measured. "If you have questions for an officer of the corporation, you can schedule a deposition through our legal counsel during normal business hours."
"With all due respect, Mr. Vance, this isn't about your corporate governance," Agent Miller replied, his expression entirely neutral. "This is about a series of unauthorized offshore transfers executed from a personal terminal registered to your daughter’s former residence—the very apartment she shared with Julian Montgomery."
Valeria froze. The white handbag slipped slightly down her forearm, and she caught her breath. For four years, Julian had insisted on managing all home network security, claiming his tech background made him uniquely qualified to protect their digital assets. He had even installed a dedicated encrypted server in their study, claiming it was for his remote consulting work.
"Julian," Valeria breathed out, the pieces snapping together with terrifying clarity. "He used our home network to route the missing funds."
"Exactly, Ms. Vance," Agent Miller said, pulling a tablet from his briefcase and displaying a digital wire-transfer log. "Our forensic accountants tracked thirty-two million dollars in misappropriated investor capital. Every single transaction originated from your household IP address. As of three days ago, when your divorce was finalized, you were still listed as the co-owner of that digital infrastructure."
Beatrice stepped in front of Valeria, her posture rigid with aristocratic fury. "Are you seriously implying that my niece had any knowledge of her ex-husband's embezzlement schemes while he was actively cheating on her and pushing her out of her own home?"
"We aren't implying anything yet, ma'am," Miller answered smoothly. "We just need her testimony to sign the arrest warrant for Mr. Montgomery before he boards a private flight out of Teterboro Airport."
Valeria stared at the glowing tablet screen, her heart hammering against her ribs. She looked at the timestamp on the most recent fraudulent transfer—it matched the exact hour she had signed her divorce papers. Julian hadn't just discarded her; he had planned to use her as his ultimate scapegoat.
"I'll go," Valeria said, her voice ringing with cold, absolute resolve.
May you like
As she slid into the back of the federal SUV alongside her father, her phone vibrated violently, displaying a live security camera feed from her former apartment: Julian was currently frantically packing suitcases, unaware that his digital fortress had just become his prison cell.
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