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Isabella’s artificial tears gleamed under the soft golden chandeliers of the private VIP suite, her hands trembling with a performance worthy of a grand stage. She gestured wildly toward Khloe, who lay crumpled on the cold marble, her white silk dress torn and stained with drops of spilled champagne. Marcus stood frozen in the doorway, / Chapter 15 / 20

Chapter 15 - Framed in Cold Blood – Marcus in Handcuffs

By dawn, the Imperator was secured, but the Aegis Syndicate’s true trap was already springing back on dry land. As the tactical transport helicopter landed on the private helipad of the Thorne European headquarters in Nice, six French federal police vehicles swerved onto the tarmac, sirens blaring.

A senior magistrate stepped out, holding a high-level arrest warrant stamped by the International Criminal Court.

“Marcus Thorne,” the magistrate declared through a megaphone. “You are under arrest for the assassination of European Energy Minister Jean-Luc Laurent.”

Marcus stepped down from the chopper, shielding Khloe behind him. “That’s absurd. Laurent was a personal friend of my father.”

“We have deepfake-verified video, DNA match on the murder weapon found in your hotel suite, and wire transfers from your primary account to the assassin,” the magistrate stated coldly. “Under anti-terrorism statutes, there is no bail. Remand him immediately!”

Khloe felt a cold wave crash over her heart as armed federal officers moved in, forcing Marcus down onto his knees and pulling his arms behind his back.

Marcus looked back at Khloe, his eyes fierce. “Don't let them take the company, Khloe. Rule it!”

As the police cars sped away with Marcus in heavy restraints, media vans swarmed the perimeter gates like vultures. Headlines exploded across global financial networks within seconds: "THORNE INDUSTRIES CEO ARRESTED FOR ASSASSINATION – STOCK PLUMMETS 60% IN PRE-MARKET TRADING."

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The hangover hit Mateo like a freight train at sunrise. Sunlight filtered through the velvet curtains of the luxury hotel suite, burning his eyes. Beside him, Valeria was still asleep, smelling of cheap neon cocktails and expensive perfume. Mateo groaned, reaching for his phone on the nightstand.

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Inside the corporate command suite, board members were already calling for an emergency meeting to force a fire-sale of Marcus’s shares.

Khloe wiped a trace of ash from her cheek, turned to her uncle Arthur, and spoke with an authority that shook the room. “Assemble the board of Thorne Industries in two hours. Tell them the Acting CEO has arrived.”

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