Chapter 16 - Receiving an unexpected diplomatic dispatch from overseas hints that international adversaries are already regrouping in the dark shadows tonight.
Late that afternoon, a sleek black courier vehicle pulled up to the security gates, delivering an unmarked diplomatic pouch to the estate.
Arthur brought the heavy leather pouch directly into the master study, placing it carefully on the mahogany desk before Julian.
Julian used a small steel letter opener to slice open the wax seal, sliding out a single sheet of heavy parchment paper from Geneva.
There was no signature, only a typed message in precise legal code warning that the European syndicate was reorganizing its leadership.
"They think cutting off the American branch will only slow us down for a quarter," Julian read the coded warning aloud to Arthur.
"Shall we increase perimeter security to maximum tactical DEFCON levels, sir?" Arthur asked, his hand resting on his service holster.
"No, Arthur; let them come to us," Julian replied calmly, a dangerous, confident smile playing at the corners of his dark beard.
"We now control the board, the banking routes, and the federal oversight committees; they are walking into a trap," Julian added firmly.
He slid the parchment into the shredder, watching the confidential warning turn into tiny paper confetti in a matter of seconds.
May you like
The global chess match was entering its final phase, and Julian Vance had no intention of losing a single piece on the board.
---
Related Stories
