Chapter 3 - THE DIGITAL WILDFIRE
Within sixty seconds of Clara’s sinister whisper, the footage hit social media, racking up hundreds of thousands of views across Manhattan elite circles.
"Look at her phone... the federal treasury portal just published the press release!" a wealthy guest in the third row gasped loudly.
Whispers rippled through the crowd like a toxic wave, replacing the initial shock with predatory, high-society curiosity.
Ethan pulled a encrypted tablet from his inner tuxedo pocket, tapping the screen once to confirm the transfer protocols.
"It's done, Clara," Ethan confirmed softly in her ear, his hand firm and protective against the small of her back.
"The Department of Justice officially froze the Sterling Global Holdings liquidity reserves in the Cayman Islands three minutes ago," Ethan added.
Eleanor’s eyes widened in sheer, unadulterated horror as her personal assistant scrambled through the crowd, thrusting a ringing smartphone toward her.
"Mrs. Sterling... it's the corporate board! The bank reserves are locked! Trading on our stock has been suspended!" the assistant panicked.
Eleanor grabbed the phone with shaking, wine-stained fingers, her voice rising into an unhinged, desperate pitch.
"Unfreeze them! Call Senator Vance immediately! Tell him to clear the federal freeze order right now!" Eleanor screamed into the receiver.
Clara took a slow, deliberate step forward, the emerald silk of her backless gown sweeping gracefully across the marble floor.
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"Senator Vance was taken into federal custody at LaGuardia Airport twenty minutes ago, Eleanor," Clara revealed with an icy smile.
***
