Chapter 28 - The Offer on the TableRoman ushered Maya into the back office with a gentle pat on the head, sliding the wooden door shut before turning back to face the federal lawyer.
"State your business, Sterling," Roman commanded, his voice dropping into the low, authoritative register of a man used to giving orders. "If you're here to dredge up old Vanguard files, you're wasting your time. The Department of Justice closed that book two years ago."
Sterling offered a wry, knowing smile. "The Department of Justice closed the criminal file, yes. But intelligence networks don't just erase high-level institutional assets, Mr. Vascari. Especially not minds as formidable as yours... or Mrs. Vascari's."
Celeste crossed her arms, leaning against the counter. "Get to the point, Arthur."
"Very well," Sterling pulled a sealed manila folder from his leather briefcase and laid it flat on the wooden counter. "Three months ago, a transnational cyber-syndicate known as the Atlas Group infiltrated several high-tier federal logistics networks, siphoning classified shipping routes and corporate supply chains across the Atlantic. We’ve tried tracking them for a year. We hit a dead end every single time."
Roman frowned. "What does that have to do with us?"
"The Atlas Group uses a very specific, highly encrypted corporate shell structure to hide their assets," Sterling explained, looking directly at Celeste. "A structure that bears the exact cryptographic signature of a boutique legal firm that went dark seven years ago. Vanguard Legal Consulting."
Celeste’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you suggesting I'm behind this?"
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"Not at all, Mrs. Vascari," Sterling said quickly, holding up a hand. "I’m suggesting that the person who built the framework is the only one alive smart enough to decode it, infiltrate their network, and dismantle them from the inside."
Roman stepped forward, his expression thunderous. "My wife is done with corporate espionage. She is done playing games with syndicates and federal agencies. You can take your folder, walk out that door, and tell the Oversight Committee to find someone else."
