Chapter 5 - THE GHOST OF THE PASTThree men in sharp federal enforcement uniforms walked into the ballroom, flanked by armed local police officers. The leader held up a gleaming gold badge and a thick manila folder.
"Julian Vance—correction, Julian Montgomery," the lead federal agent announced, his voice echoing through the silent hall. "You are under arrest for corporate espionage, international money laundering, securities fraud, and the attempted embezzlement of over four hundred million dollars from Vance Global."
Julian’s face drained of every drop of color. He staggered backward, his legs giving out beneath him. "No... no, that's impossible. Those accounts are offshore! The Cayman Islands jurisdiction protects them!"
"Not when the primary shareholder of those offshore shell companies signs a global asset forfeiture waiver," a calm, smooth voice echoed from the doorway.
A tall, impeccably dressed man stepped into the light. His dark hair was silver at the temples, and his piercing blue eyes surveyed the room with supreme confidence. It was Marcus Sterling—the ruthless billionaire tech mogul and CEO of Sterling Industries, a man rumored to control half the digital infrastructure of the western hemisphere.
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Eleanor gasped, her eyes widening in sheer terror. "Marcus... What are you doing here? You're our primary corporate partner!"
"Not anymore, Eleanor," Marcus said smoothly, walking past her without a second glance. He stopped right beside Katherine, gently placing a supportive hand on her shoulder. "Sterling Industries has officially acquired the controlling stake in Vance Global, effective five minutes ago. Your family is bankrupt."
