Chapter 16 - The Fall of the House of Cards
By evening, the financial markets had reacted with ruthless efficiency.
Vance Global Capital’s stock plummeted by forty-two percent within hours of Julian’s detention, while Mercer Holdings bounced back stronger than ever, its liquidity restored and its corporate structure permanently cleansed of ancestral poison.
Inside the penthouse study overlooking Central Park, the tension of the past week finally evaporated.
Ethan poured two glasses of scotch, handing one to Victoria, who sat across from him on the leather sofa.
"I owe you a massive debt, Victoria," Ethan said, raising his glass in a silent toast. "Without your team digging up Arthur Vance’s old offshore accounts, Julian would have tied us up in litigation for years."
"Don't thank me, Ethan," Victoria smiled, taking a sip. "Thank Miss Brooks. She was the one who noticed the date discrepancy on page four of the ledger your mother left behind."
Ethan turned his head, looking toward the open balcony doors.
Outside, under the warm summer twilight, Hannah was sitting on a porch swing with Avery, pointing out the first evening stars appearing over the city skyline. The soft sound of their laughter drifted into the room on a gentle breeze.
May you like
"She always sees what others miss," Ethan said quietly, a deep, abiding warmth settling into his chest.
"Make sure you never take her for granted again," Victoria advised dryly, standing up to leave. " Empires are easy to build, Ethan. Finding someone willing to stand with you in the ruins... that’s the real work."
