Chapter 3 - The Ghost in the Vault
Alexander looked at his phone screen, but his expression didn't change from dark indifference to panic. Instead, a slight, terrifying smirk played on his lips.
"Your father executed the takeover?" Alexander asked calmly. "Using the master cipher keys from my late father’s vault?"
"Yes!" Victoria taunted. "He’s at the stock exchange right now signing the transfer documents! You’re ruined, Alexander! You may put me in jail, but you’ll be a homeless beggar by midnight!"
Alexander casually dialed a contact on speakerphone.
The line connected after one ring. A deep, elderly, yet powerful voice reverberated through the hall:
"Victoria... tell your father that the cipher keys he just used were forged three years ago."
Victoria's jaw dropped. "Grandpa Blackwood?! But... you died five years ago!"
"Reports of my death were greatly exaggerated to catch the traitors inside our inner circle," the voice replied calmly over the phone. "The moment your father entered those keys into the international trade server, it triggered an automated trap. Your entire family's offshore accounts—all $4 billion—have just been seized by the Federal Reserve for money laundering and treason."
Victoria stumbled back, hitting the edge of the pool deck. "No... no, no, NO!"
"Take her away," Inspector Vance ordered.
Two officers seized Victoria's arms, pinning them behind her wet back. As they dragged her kicking and screaming down the grand steps, she glared back at Elena and Alexander, her eyes full of unadulterated hatred.
"This isn't over!" Victoria screamed as her voice faded down the driveway. "MY BROTHER KNOWS EVERYTHING! HE WILL FINISH THIS!"
Silence descended on the grand mansion.
Maya unbuttoned her blazer, exhaling a deep breath. "Well, that was intense. Is the baby safe at the safehouse?"
"Yes," Alexander said, looking at Elena. "She’s with the security team."
Elena looked down at her fake bump, then up at Alexander. But instead of relief in her eyes, there was horror.
May you like
She looked at Alexander’s wrist.
"Alexander..." Elena whispered, her voice shaking violently. "Where... where is your dragon tattoo?"
