Chapter 9: The Gathering Storm
In the executive boardroom on the top floor of the Vance Tower, chaos reigned.
Stock prices for Vance Enterprises had tumbled six percent in forty-eight hours following the news of the Attorney General's preliminary inquiry into their charitable foundation. Board members sat around the long mahogany table, whispering anxiously among themselves.
Julian Vance slammed his fist onto the table. ""This is absurd! It's one woman living in a backwater fishing village! How did a local newspaper article turn into a federal inquiry?""
At the head of the table, Victoria Vance sat motionless. Her face was a mask of pale marble, but her knuckles were white where she gripped her fountain pen.
""It wasn't just a newspaper article, Julian,"" Victoria said coldly. ""Evelyn didn't just leak Arthur's journal. She submitted full financial transaction records that Arthur had encrypted on an external drive. She knew exactly which accounts to flag.""
""We can discredit her!"" Julian insisted, his voice rising in panic. ""We'll say she stole those records!""
""And bring even more press into the courtroom?"" Victoria retorted sharply. ""Do you think the board will stand by us if a public trial reveals that you falsified charity audit reports to cover your personal investment debts?""
Julian went pale, sinking back into his leather chair. ""Aunt Victoria... what do we do?""
Victoria stood up slowly, her tall, commanding figure casting a long shadow across the room.
""I built this company, and I will not let a girl from nowhere tear it down,"" Victoria said. ""I will go to Cedar Haven myself. I will offer her complete financial independence for the child—and in exchange, she will sign a public statement retracting the audit documents.""
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""And if she refuses?"" Julian asked softly.
Victoria looked out the floor-to-ceiling window at the sprawling city below. ""She won't refuse. Everyone has a price when their child's future is on the line.""
