Chapter 10: Checkmate in Manhattan
Chapter 10: Checkmate in Manhattan
The annual Manhattan Legal & Civic Gala was held in the glass atrium of the Metropolitan Art Museum. It was the premier event for the city’s political elite, and Prosecutor Julian Vance was the guest of honor, preparing to announce his campaign for State Attorney General.
Wearing an immaculate black tux, Dominic entered the grand hall with Mia by his side. Mia looked breathtaking in an emerald silk floor-length gown, her posture radiant, radiating grace and unshakeable confidence. I stayed in the balcony area, wearing an earpiece, monitoring security signals and live data streams.
When Julian Vance spotted Dominic walking through the crowd, his face paled slightly before he masked it with a practiced political smile. He stepped away from a group of reporters and intercepted Dominic near the central sculpture garden.
"Dominic Vale," Vance said under his breath, leaning in close while keeping his smile broad for the cameras. "You have a lot of nerve coming here. A former cartel kingpin trying to mingle with civil servants?"
"Prosecutor Vance," Dominic replied calmly, raising his champagne glass. "I came to congratulate you on your campaign fund. It seems Elysian Holding Group has been remarkably generous to your offshore accounts."
Vance’s smile faltered, his posture stiffening. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course you do," Mia chimed in, her voice smooth as velvet, looking directly into Vance's eyes without a flinch. "Five hundred thousand dollars was transferred to your vault in Midtown yesterday. My husband built a legacy of strength, Mr. Vance. You built a house of cards on extortion."
Vance sneered, leaning closer to Dominic. "You can't touch me, Vale. If you leak anything, I’ll leak five years of sealed wiretaps from your old operations. I'll make sure you and your little family spend the rest of your lives in federal courtrooms."
"Check your phone, Julian," Dominic said softly.
Vance frowned, reaching into his tuxedo pocket to pull out his vibrating phone. On his screen was an official notification from the Federal Ethics Committee and the Internal Revenue Service, locking his accounts and issuing an immediate grand jury subpoena.
May you like
"I didn't leak your records to the press," Dominic said smoothly. "I sent the unedited, verified bank logs directly to the Department of Justice. As a law-abiding citizen, I felt it was my civic duty."
Vance stared at the screen in utter horror as two federal agents in dark suits entered the atrium, walking purposefully toward him.
