Chapter 8 - The Frozen Ledger
Julian snatched the tablet from Marcus’s trembling hands. The screen displayed an official notice from the Department of Justice, citing an ongoing federal investigation into corporate fraud, tax evasion, and the illegal concealment of corporate funds dating back to nineteen-ninety-five.
“This is impossible,” Eleanor gasped, rushing around the table to stare at the screen. Her color completely vanished, leaving her face chalk-white. “We cleared all audits. The federal oversight ended a decade ago!”
“It didn't end,” Marcus said, his voice shaking as he paced across the expensive Persian rug. “Someone reopened the cold-case file regarding the nineteen-ninety-five greenhouse fire. The anonymous tip included original financial ledgers showing millions funneled into offshore accounts under Caroline’s name—accounts she never knew existed.”
Julian stared at Marcus, his mind racing through the terrifying implications. “Someone framed her back then to make it look like she embezzled the money before she vanished.”
“And that same someone just submitted the physical evidence to the SEC this morning,” Marcus added, casting a sideways glance at Eleanor.
Eleanor slammed her hands down on the mahogany table, her composure finally shattering. “You fool! If the SEC investigates those offshore accounts, they’ll trace every single penny back to the foundation’s primary slush fund—the fund you managed, Marcus!”
Julian stepped between them, his eyes darting from his wife to his lifelong friend. “So it wasn't just about Caroline. It was about stealing company money and pinning the blame on a dead woman.”
“We were young, Julian! The company was failing!” Marcus shouted defensively, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “We needed capital to secure the European patents! Caroline just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time!”
In the corner of the room, the sudden rustling of the wool blanket drew their attention. Lily had woken up. She sat upright on the velvet sofa, her wide blue eyes staring at Marcus and Eleanor with an instinctive, terrified comprehension.
“You’re the man who came to our cabin,” Lily whispered, pointing a trembling finger directly at Marcus. “You’re the one who told mom she had to keep running.”
Marcus froze, his mouth opening to speak, but no words came out. The heavy silence in the penthouse was broken only by the vibration of Julian’s cell phone resting on the table. Julian picked it up. The caller ID displayed an unknown number with a federal agency prefix.
Julian swiped to answer and pressed the phone to his ear. “This is Julian Sterling.”
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“Mr. Sterling,” a cold, formal voice replied through the speaker. “This is Agent Vance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We have an active warrant to search your Manhattan estate and corporate offices. Please do not attempt to leave the premises.”
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