Chapter 3 - The Audit of David SterlingVincent didn't go to Sterling. He went to the bar where Sterling was cowering, but instead of throwing a punch, he pulled out a gold-plated fountain pen.
"Give me your phone, David," Vincent commanded, holding out a pale, steady hand.
Sterling’s hands shook so violently he dropped his smartphone twice before catching it against his thigh. He unlocked it with fumbling fingers and handed it over like a condemned man passing the executioner his own axe.
Vincent didn't look at the screen. He handed the phone to his head of security, a towering mountain of a man named Marcus.
"Transfer five thousand, four hundred and thirty dollars and thirty cents from David's primary corporate account," Vincent instructed casually. "Add a twenty percent inconvenience fee for emotional distress caused to Miss Rory Carter. And an additional ten thousand dollars for general harassment."
Sterling let out a high-pitched, pathetic sound. "Mr. Kane! That's... that's my liquidity! That’s my Porsche payment—"
Marcus didn't blink. His thumbs flew across the screen. Ding.
Across the room, inside the employee breakroom where Elena’s phone sat charging on the counter, a notification chime rang out. Then another. Then a third.
"And transfer it," Vincent continued smoothly, "to Elena Carter's payroll account. Clear, verified, and instantaneous."
Vincent turned his cold, obsidian eyes back to Sterling. "Now, David. Let’s talk about the remaining seventy-six days of labor your employees performed while you drove German engineering through downtown traffic."
May you like
"I... I can explain!" Sterling shrieked, dropping to his knees. The wealthy patrons at the nearby tables turned away in disgust, desperate not to be associated with the sinking ship. "The restaurant isn't doing well! The margins are thin!"
"Then it’s a good thing," Vincent said, stepping over Sterling’s sprawling legs with casual contempt, "that I am acquiring the real estate. Effective immediately."
