CHAP 5: THE SHOWDOWN AT THE MARINA
Daniel and I stepped out of my black SUV. Behind us, hidden in the shadows of the dry docks, were four undercover security officers and a team of forensic accountants I had hired to trace Julian’s transactions in real-time.
We walked down Dock D, our footsteps echoing on the damp wood. At the end of the pier, a single yacht was illuminated—the Holloway Crest, the very yacht Richard had bragged about at the party.
As we approached, two figures stepped out from the cabin.
Charlotte stood there, her face pale, her eyes red-rimmed. But she wasn't crying anymore. Beside her stood Julian Vance, holding a manila folder.
"I told you to come alone, Daniel," Charlotte said, her voice trembling slightly in the cold air.
"He doesn't go anywhere without his business partner," I said, stepping into the light. "Or did you forget who actually owns this dock, Charlotte?"
Julian chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "Always the businesswoman, Isabelle. But tonight, you don't hold the cards."
He tossed the folder onto a table on the yacht's deck. "Inside that folder are documents showing that Romero Urban Design used offshore accounts to bypass environmental regulations during the construction of the Pacific Ember Resort. If this goes to the press, your stock drops forty percent by tomorrow morning. Your reputation is ruined. The city will halt all your ongoing projects."
I didn't even look at the folder. "Fabricated evidence, Julian. Created by your shell companies and leaked through a compromised auditor in my firm whom I fired three hours ago."
Julian’s eyes narrowed. "Even if it's fabricated, the investigation alone will destroy your brand. The public loves to see a billionaire fall. Especially a self-made woman who pretends to be pure."
"And what do you want in exchange for keeping this 'evidence' quiet?" Daniel asked, his fists clenched at his sides.
"Simple," Julian said, draping an arm around Charlotte’s shoulders. "You sign over fifty-one percent of Pacific Ember Properties to a trust controlled by Charlotte. The wedding proceeds. We become one big, happy family. And Richard’s debt is forgiven."
Charlotte looked at Daniel, a triumphant, ugly smirk appearing on her face. "You should have just kept your mother in her place, Daniel. Now, you have to pay the price to keep her reputation intact."
I looked at Charlotte. I looked at Julian.
"You really think you're smart, don't you?" I said softly. I took out my phone and tapped the screen. "Do you know what this is?"
"A phone," Julian sneered. "Are you calling your lawyers? They can't stop a press leak."
"No," I replied. "I'm broadcasting. Right now, this entire conversation is being streamed live to the board of directors of Vanguard Trust, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the San Francisco District Attorney’s office."
Julian’s face went stiff.
"Furthermore," I continued, "my forensic team spent the last twelve hours tracing the funds you used to buy those 'distressed shares' of the Holloway company. You used embezzled funds from your brother Marcus's investment firm. Marcus found out three hours ago. He’s currently at the police department signing a criminal complaint against you."
"You're lying!" Julian snarled, taking a step toward the edge of the boat.
May you like
"Am I?" I asked.
Right on cue, the sound of sirens echoed from the main road, their blue and red lights cutting through the thick Sausalito fog. Multiple police cruisers pulled up to the entrance of the marina, their tires screeching on the asphalt.
