Chapter 9
Marcus stepped past the federal marshals without breaking his stride, his leather briefcase tucked firmly under his arm. He didn't even glance at Valerie Sterling as he walked directly up to Arthur, holding out the glowing tablet for the patriarch to see.
"Mr. Vance, the emergency injunction just cleared the federal district court ten minutes ago," Marcus announced, his voice ringing loud and clear through the marble foyer. "We caught the wire transfer to the Swiss trust before it cleared the clearinghouse. Furthermore, the joint venture contract Ms. Sterling is holding has been legally invalidated under federal fraud statutes."
Valerie’s brittle smile vanished instantly, color draining from her face as she whipped around to face Marcus. "That’s impossible! Julian had full executive signing authority as vice president!"
"Not when he used a forged power of attorney from a medical ward where his father was supposed to be incapacitated," Marcus replied smoothly, tapping the screen of the tablet. "Our legal team uncovered a notarized document Julian filed three months ago claiming Mr. Vance was suffering from early-onset cognitive decline, thereby granting Julian absolute control over corporate assets without board oversight. Except Mr. Vance never stepped foot in that clinic. The doctor who signed the paperwork was arrested forty-five minutes ago at JFK airport trying to board a flight to Zurich with two hundred thousand dollars in cash."
The two federal marshals standing beside Valerie exchanged glances. One of them stepped forward, lowering his clipboard and looking directly at Valerie. "Ms. Sterling, under federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 1343, receiving assets known to be acquired via corporate fraud and wire tampering constitutes a conspiracy charge. We’re going to need you to come with us to answer a few questions downtown."
Valerie stumbled back a step, her gold evening gown rustling sharply against the marble floor. Her eyes darted from the marshals to Arthur, realizing with mounting horror that the trap she had set had just snapped shut around her own ankles. "This is a setup! Julian gave me those documents! He swore his father was stepping down!"
"Julian is a liar, and you are a vulture," Arthur said, his voice cold as winter ice. He looked down at her with absolute disdain. "You thought you could buy a dynasty for the price of a dinner party and a forged signature. Get out of my house."
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The marshals moved in, gently but firmly taking Valerie by the elbows as they guided her toward the heavy front doors. She glared back at Arthur over her shoulder, her face twisted in pure venom. "You haven't won anything, Arthur! Your son hates you, your company is compromised, and your granddaughter saw her own father treat her like garbage! That stain will never wash off!"
The heavy oak doors slammed shut behind them, plunging the foyer back into silence. Arthur stood motionless for a long moment, breathing heavily, feeling every one of his seventy-five years weighing on his shoulders. He turned slowly and looked up the stairs, where little Lily was still sleeping safely in the nursery.
