Chapter 9 - Blood on the MarbleThe towering fifty-story glass structure of Vance Tower gleamed against the gray Manhattan sky. Outside, hundreds of reporters and television news crews crowded behind police barricades, eager for news regarding the sudden collapse of Sterling Global and the sudden emergency meeting of Vance Consortium.
Inside the grand penthouse boardroom on the fiftieth floor, sixteen of the world's most powerful corporate directors sat along a forty-foot obsidian table.
At the head of the table sat Julian Vance, impeccably dressed in a charcoal three-piece suit, his hands resting on his silver cane. Beside him stood a sleek, sharp-featured international attorney representing the Apex Syndicate.
"The vote is simple, gentlemen," Julian declared, his smooth voice projecting effortlessly across the silent room. "In light of the tragic legal complications surrounding the Sterling estate, Vance Consortium must protect its liquidity. We sell fifty-one percent of non-voting equity to our European partners, securing three billion dollars in immediate capital."
"And what about the claims made by Arthur Sterling's daughter?" one senior board member asked nervously. "The media is claiming she possesses the founding charter!"
Julian scoffed dismissively, waving a hand. "Mia Sterling is a confused young woman manipulated by a rogue former employee. She holds no legal standing—"
BOOM!
The heavy double glass doors of the boardroom shattered inward into a cloud of sparkling crystal dust.
Four FBI tactical officers stepped into the room, securing the doorway with tactical shields. Walking right through the center of the smoke came Mia Vance, wearing a sharp black blazer, her spine straight, her presence radiating absolute authority.
Beside her walked Victor, carrying the leather-bound journal and a satellite transmitter, while Agent Sarah Reyes held up a high-level federal court injunction.
"This meeting is adjourned, Julian," Mia announced, her voice ringing clear and steady through the vast penthouse like a thunderclap.
The entire board gasped, several directors standing up in shock.
Julian’s face turned an ugly, dark shade of purple. He slammed his fist onto the obsidian table. "Security! Remove these intruders immediately!"
"Your private security team has just been disarmed by federal marshals in the lobby, Mr. Vance," Agent Reyes stated coldly, stepping forward and laying the injunction flat on the table. "By order of the Southern District Federal Court, all voting rights within Vance Consortium are frozen pending the verification of the legitimate heir."
"You have no proof!" Julian roared, his aristocratic composure completely shattering. "Arthur died twenty years ago! His line is extinct!"
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Mia stepped right up to the head of the table, placing her hands flat on the obsidian surface, leaning down until she was inches away from Julian's enraged face.
"My line is sitting right downstairs with federal agents, Julian," Mia whispered, her eyes burning with cold, absolute victory. "And on this drive is the audio recording my father made five minutes before your hitman cut his brakes."
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