Chapter 13 - THE FALL OF THE INNER CIRCLE
Dominic Vance sat sweating profusely across from Vivien’s glass desk, nervously adjusting his expensive silk tie. As the chief legal counsel for the Vescari organization, he had spent a decade burying evidence, fabricating alibis, and keeping Matteo out of federal custody. He thought he was indispensable.
Vivien slid a single manila folder across the polished glass.
Dominic opened it with trembling fingers. Inside were detailed financial printouts, wire transfer receipts, and offshore shell corporation assignments dating back six years—all bearing his personal signature and unauthorized skimming fees totaling over fourteen million dollars skimmed directly from Matteo’s primary accounts.
"Vivien... I can explain," Dominic stammered, his voice cracking. "That money... it was just a retainer—"
"It was theft, Dominic," Vivien interrupted, her voice dangerously quiet, cutting through the heavy air like a scalpel. "You stole from my father's estate while pretending to serve my husband. You assumed Matteo was too arrogant to audit his own legal team, and you assumed I was too invisible to notice."
"Please," Dominic whispered, pressing his palms together in a desperate plea. "I know where every body is buried. I can keep you safe from the feds, from the SEC, from rival syndicates—"
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"I don't need a corrupt lawyer to keep me safe, Dominic. I need a clean slate," Vivien said coldly. She pressed a button on her desk intercom. "Security? Escort Mr. Vance out of the building. Hand his laptop, his corporate credentials, and this entire physical folder directly to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York."
Two heavy-set tactical operatives stepped into the office, grabbing the screaming, white-faced attorney by his arms and dragging him out of the room. Dominic’s frantic pleas echoed down the hallway until the heavy mahogany doors clicked shut. Vivien didn't even blink. The housecleaning had officially begun.
