Chapter 5
By midnight, the grand ballroom was completely emptied of guests under strict federal gag orders.
Outside the estate gates, news vans and paparazzi swarmed the avenue under the flashing blue and red lights.
Claire sat in the quiet library study, resting her elbows on the heavy mahogany desk.
The framed US flag hung proudly against the wood-paneled wall, illuminated by the desk lamp.
Arthur Vance, Claire's grandfather and the actual founder of the global conglomerate, stepped into the room.
He placed a warm, steady hand on Claire's shoulder, his gray eyes shining with profound pride.
"You handled that with the exact ruthlessness your mother possessed, Claire," Arthur noted warmly.
"It took patience to let him expose his own greed over the last three years," Claire replied quietly.
"If I had acted too early, he would have hidden the offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands."
Arthur poured two glasses of aged bourbon, handing one to his granddaughter across the desk.
"His legal team is already trying to file an emergency bail motion," Arthur warned.
"Judge Miller has denied all motions pending a full audit of the primary trust," Claire assured him smoothly.
"David will spend the next twenty years reflecting on his mistakes in a federal penitentiary."
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Suddenly, Claire's smartphone vibrated on the wooden desk with a high-priority encrypted notification.
She picked up the device, her emerald eyes narrowing as she read the incoming message.
