Chapter 9
A sleek, unmarked black SUV roared up to the curb, its high-beam headlights blindingly bright as they pierced the glass storefront.
Martha stepped out into the pouring rain, her white chef's hat standing out against the dark asphalt.
The SUV doors flew open, and two men in tactical gear stepped out, shielding their faces from the downpour.
They didn't look like police officers.
They moved with the cold, calculated efficiency of private corporate security.
Victoria watched through the glass as one of the men approached Martha.
Instead of arresting her or stopping her, he handed her a heavy umbrella and opened the rear door of the vehicle.
Martha climbed inside without hesitation.
The SUV accelerated away into the stormy night, disappearing around the corner in a splash of rainwater.
Julian scrambled to his feet, wiping blood from his lip as he staggered toward the open door.
"Tori, we have to call my father's security team right now!" Julian yelled, grabbing his discarded overcoat.
"That old woman is connected to an international corporate espionage ring!"
Victoria didn't move.
She stood beside the pedestal, the glowing blue lights of the bridal dress casting long, ethereal shadows across her white blazer suit.
"Corporate espionage?" Victoria repeated, her voice dangerously calm.
"Julian, those men didn't arrest her.
They saluted her."
Julian froze with one arm in his coat sleeve.
He turned slowly, his eyes darting toward the door and then back to Victoria.
"What are you talking about?" Julian stammered.
"Those were Vance Corp security contractors," Victoria said, holding up the leather ledger.
"And according to these financial records, your father’s shell company has been paying a monthly pension to a woman named Martha Vance for the last twenty-six years."
Julian’s breath hitched in his throat.
The color completely drained from his face, leaving him looking ghost-white under the chandeliers.
"A hush money payment," Victoria whispered, stepping forward.
"Your family didn't just steal the salvage rights.
They bought her silence.
And she took their money while plotting this exact moment."
Julian took a step back, his back hitting the glass counter.
"Tori, please," Julian pleaded, his voice cracking with genuine terror.
"My father had to protect our interests.
If the truth came out, we would be ruined."
"You are already ruined," Victoria said coldly.
May you like
The wall panel behind them chimed loudly.
UPLOAD COMPLETE.
