Chapter 25 - THE RECKONING
The auditorium was packed.
News cameras filled the aisles.
Julian Thorne sat beside his attorneys.
Marcus stood before the city council.
He carried one black binder.
"Mr. Thorne claims our center violates zoning regulations."
He opened the binder.
"We have evidence that his companies manipulated those regulations."
Bank transfers appeared on the screen.
Payments.
Shell companies.
Zoning officials.
The room erupted.
Thorne stood.
"These documents are fabricated!"
Marcus didn't blink.
"They are certified public records."
Then the doors opened.
State investigators entered.
Thorne's face went pale.
"We are executing a search warrant on Crestview Holdings."
The chairman struck his gavel.
"Order!"
Thorne looked around.
For the first time, he had nowhere to hide.
The council rejected the injunction.
The investigation was referred to prosecutors.
Officers escorted Thorne from the room.
The crowd erupted.
Vanessa hugged Marcus.
Claire closed her eyes.
Another empire had fallen.
But this time, nobody had to lose a family to make it happen.
The neighborhood had stood together.
May you like
And won together.
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