Chapter 6 - The Visitor from the Shadows
Elena did not retreat an inch. She stood tall beside the mahogany desk, her hand resting casually on the black leather briefcase containing the incriminating ledgers. Thaddeus planted his feet firmly on the carpet, while Marcus instinctively stepped back, his breath coming in shallow, ragged gasps.
“You’ve bypassed three levels of biometric security to enter a restricted corporate floor,” Elena said, her voice steady and devoid of fear. “That constitutes armed trespassing and corporate espionage. My security team has already notified federal authorities.”
The scarred man smiled, a humorless stretching of thin lips. “Federal authorities, Mrs. Vance, are currently very busy investigating your husband’s financial collapse downstairs. By the time they finish filing paperwork here, this building will be under new management.”
He stepped further into the office, his eyes lingering on the open vault behind Elena. “We don’t care about the corporate ledgers, and we certainly don’t care about Julian. He’s a worthless addict who gambled away collateral that didn't belong to him. We want the Pacific Northwest land deeds.”
“Those deeds are federal property held in trust,” Marcus interjected, his voice trembling slightly. “You can’t just walk in and take them.”
“Watch me,” the scarred man replied, signaling to the two operatives behind him. They moved instantly, drawing silenced sidearms from their tailored jackets.
Thaddeus moved with astonishing speed, drawing his own weapon and firing a single warning shot that embedded itself harmlessly into the reinforced drywall inches from the leader’s head plaster showering the floor.
“One more step and the next round shatters your kneecap,” Thaddeus stated coldly, his aim rock-solid.
The scarred man did not blink. He raised his hand, gesturing for his men to hold their positions. He locked his gaze onto Elena, who was quietly sliding the black notebook into her briefcase.
“You’re a brave woman, Elena,” the man said softly. “Much braver than your husband. But bravery doesn't stop international arbitration claims backed by billions in liquid capital. If you don't hand over those deeds within forty-eight hours, the next people who visit you won't be talking in an office.”
He turned sharply on his heel, gesturing for his operatives to withdraw back toward the private elevator. As the doors closed behind them, Marcus let out a long, shaky breath, sinking heavily into one of the leather armchairs.
“Who were they?” Marcus whispered. “Those weren't standard corporate debt collectors.”
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Elena closed the briefcase with a sharp, echoing snap and locked the brass latches. “They were syndicates, Marcus. And Julian just sold our family name to keep his penthouse afloat.”
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