Chapter 10 - THE COLLAPSE OF THE HOUSE OF CARDS
Marcus stared at the glowing monitor, his knees buckling slightly as the reality of a federal investigation crashing down on Sterling & Vance became undeniable. "You... you're the one who orchestrated this," he whispered, his voice trembling with impotent rage as his corporate veneer completely shattered.
"No, Marcus, you and Julian orchestrated this the moment you decided to treat a self-made woman like an expendable pawn in your criminal empire," I replied calmly, standing up from the executive chair and buttoning my jacket. "You built an entire firm on deceit and intimidation, forgetting that eventually, someone would come along who knew how to balance the books."
Heavy boots pounded against the marble hallway outside the executive suite, and a squad of armed federal agents in tactical gear burst into the office, guns drawn and shouting clear commands.
"Federal Bureau of Investigation! Nobody move!" the lead agent commanded, his eyes scanning the chaotic room before locking onto Marcus Sterling. "Marcus Sterling, you're under arrest for corporate embezzlement, wire fraud, and international money laundering."
Marcus raised his hands slowly, his face contorting into a mask of pure venom as the handcuffs were snapped tightly around his wrists. As the agents dragged him past me toward the private elevators, he shot one last venomous glare in my direction. "Julian is going to pay for this just as much as I am," he spat out bitterly.
"Julian already paid the price the moment he kicked my dining table," I said without missing a beat. "He's entirely on his own now."
Viktor stepped up beside me as the chaos in the executive suite began to wind down, watching the federal agents clear the remaining staff from the floor. "Well, Mrs. Thorne," Viktor said quietly, a faint hint of respect in his steel-gray eyes. "It seems your financial analysis skills far exceeded even my highest expectations."
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"I told you from the start, Viktor," I replied, turning toward the private elevator to descend back down to the quiet city streets. "Never underestimate a woman who knows how to balance her own ledger."
Stepping out of the towering glass monolith of Sterling & Vance into the cool, refreshing air of the rainy dawn, the storm clouds were finally beginning to part, revealing the first golden rays of sunlight breaking across the horizon.
