Chapter 3 - The Blue Seal
“What is that?” Marcus Thorne, the lead investor for the Hale Meridian acquisition, stepped forward. His eyes darted from the horrifying paused image on the screen to the blue-sealed envelope in my hand.
Victor lunged toward me, but the two detectives were faster. They grabbed his arms, twisting them behind his back.
“Don’t touch her,” Detective Ramirez barked, forcing Victor to stay in place.
Victor was panting, sweat beading on his forehead. “It’s fake! Whatever she has, she forged it! She’s an unstable woman, she’s trying to ruin my company out of spite!”
I ignored him and turned to Marcus Thorne, extending the envelope. “This, Mr. Thorne, is a certified audit of the offshore accounts Victor has been maintaining in the Cayman Islands. Accounts held under shell companies he set up using his mother's maiden name.”
Victor’s mother gasped, a hand flying to her chest.
“Inside,” I continued, my voice echoing in the dead silent room, “you will find proof that Victor hasn’t just been abusing me. He’s been embezzling from the company’s pension fund. He diverted over forty million dollars from the last seed round to cover his personal gambling debts and private real estate purchases.”
The room erupted.
The executives jumped to their feet. The investors began shouting, demanding answers from the board chair, who looked like he was about to faint.
I looked at my family. My father was pale, his eyes wide with horror as he realized the golden goose was dead. My brother looked away, shame finally registering on his face.
“You stole from us?” Marcus Thorne walked up to Victor, his voice deadly quiet. “We trusted you with our capital, and you used it to fund your private accounts?”
“It’s a lie!” Victor screamed, struggling against the detectives. “Claire, tell them! Tell them you made it up! I’ll give you whatever you want! You want a divorce? Fine! You want money? I’ll write you a check right now!”
“You don't have any money left to write checks with, Victor,” Elena stepped in, adjusting her glasses. “Because three hours ago, armed with this evidence and a federal warrant, the authorities froze every single asset tied to your name. Including the offshore accounts.”
Victor stopped struggling. He stared at me, his chest heaving, his eyes hollow. The invincible tyrant was gone, replaced by a terrified, cornered animal.
“You have the right to remain silent,” Detective Ramirez began reading his Miranda rights, pulling out a pair of steel handcuffs. “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law...”
As the cold metal clicked around his wrists, Victor didn't look at the police, or his parents, or his ruined investors.
May you like
He looked at me.
And for the first time in our eight-year marriage, he was the one who was terrified.
