Chapter 6
The message was not from the federal prosecutor's office, nor was it from her legal team.
It originated from an untraceable satellite server routing through Zurich, Switzerland.
Claire tapped the screen, opening a high-resolution security photograph attached to the file.
The image showed a sleek black limousine parked outside the gates of her Manhattan townhouse.
Inside the rear window, a shadowed figure held up a vintage crystal glass in a silent toast.
Beneath the photograph, a single line of text flashed in bold, unyielding letters:
'You punished the dog, Mrs. Vance, but you forgot who bred him.'
Claire's breath caught in her throat as a cold shiver ran down her spine.
Arthur noticed her sudden silence, stepping closer to look down at the glowing screen.
"What is it, Claire?" Arthur asked, his sharp instincts kicking in instantly.
"The audit... it didn't just uncover David's embezzlement," Claire whispered, her voice tightening.
"David wasn't operating his shell companies alone."
"Someone higher up authorized the transfer of the primary trust funds six months ago."
Arthur's face turned pale as the realization hit him like a physical blow.
"Who?" Arthur demanded, his grip tightening on his bourbon glass.
May you like
"The true majority shareholder of Vance Industries," Claire read aloud from the encrypted file.
"A shadow board operating out of London... and they just activated the emergency succession clause."
