Chapter 8 - The Counter-Strategy
Instead of panicking, Bella laughed.
It was a low, melodic sound that carried absolute, chilling amusement.
Elena’s confident smirk faltered. “You think this is a game?”
“No, Ms. Vance,” Bella said, walking past her toward the master console on the wall. She tapped a sequence of keys, activating the high-definition security screens that lined the opposite wall.
On the monitors, live aerial feeds displayed the private underground garage, the perimeter gates, and—most importantly—the exact location of Elena Vance’s financial backers sitting in a sleek black sedan parked three blocks away from the estate.
“You assume that because I manage an empire, I wait for my enemies to strike first,” Bella said smoothly, turning to face a stunned Elena. “While you were drafting your emergency injunctions in Zurich, my legal team was auditing the anonymous backers funding Vanguard Holdings. Did you really think an offshore shell company operating out of a tax haven wouldn't leave a paper trail back to your Swiss bank accounts?”
Elena’s face drained of color. She instinctively took a step back toward the elevator. “That’s impossible... our conduits were encrypted—”
“Encryption is just a mathematical puzzle for people who don't know how to read numbers,” Bella interrupted sharply. She picked up her secure satellite phone and dialed a direct extension. “Don Matteo? We have a visitor in the penthouse who needs a formal escort out of the building. And notify the federal prosecutor’s office that Vanguard Holdings has initiated an illegal securities manipulation attempt.”
Before Elena could lunge forward or reach into her coat, heavy security footsteps echoed down the private hallway. Two elite guards stepped into the room, their hands resting firmly on their tactical holsters.
“You can’t arrest me, you arrogant bitch!” Elena screamed as the guards grabbed her arms, pulling her backward toward the elevator. “Vanguard will destroy you! This isn't over!”
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“It was over the moment you stepped into my home,” Bella replied coldly.
The elevator doors closed, cutting off Elena’s frantic curses. Bella stood in the quiet penthouse, adjusted her blazer, and walked back to check on Marco, whose breathing remained steady and undisturbed in his bassinet.
