Chapter 12 - SEC INVASION
While Clara read her mother's long-lost letters upstairs, chaos erupted at the Vance Global corporate headquarters on Wall Street.
Six federal agents from the Securities and Exchange Commission, accompanied by FBI officers, marched through the glass lobby doors.
They carried official search warrants targeting Julian Vance's private executive suite on the top floor.
"What is the meaning of this?" Eleanor Vance shrieked, rushing out of her office in a tailored grey suit.
"Mrs. Vance, your son is under federal investigation for illegal offshore transfers and embezzlement of sixty million dollars," the lead agent announced sternly.
"We have reason to believe these funds were stolen from the late Sarah Vance's trust fund over the past five years," he added.
Eleanor stumbled back against her mahogany desk, her hands clutching her pearls in total terror.
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She realized too late that Clara's sudden arrival had pulled the lid off a massive, decade-long financial crime ring.
Julian, who was hiding inside his mother's private lounge, heard the agents' voices and frantically ran toward the rear service stairs.
