Chapter 13 - INSIDE THE TRAPFollowing the blast at the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte was placed under high alert. Victor wasn't bluffing. Over the next 24 hours, federal agents raided three of my largest freight terminals at the Port of Wilmington after receiving anonymous tips about illegal military-grade weapons caches. At the same time, offshore shell corporations based in London launched a aggressive short-selling campaign against Whitfield Group stock, sending our market value plunging.
I sat in my command center, my eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.
"Boss, we have another situation," Marcus said, stepping into the room with a grim expression. "The central bank just froze all our domestic corporate accounts pending a federal audit. We're facing a severe liquidity squeeze."
"It’s Victor’s playbook," I slammed my fist onto the desk. "He's trying to choke us financially, forcing us to draw from our hidden emergency reserves."
Just then, Grace entered carrying a mug of hot coffee. She set it beside my papers and looked at me with unyielding resolve.
"Daniel, I can help," Grace said quietly.
"No, Grace," I shook my head immediately. "You and Lily are being moved to a secure location within the hour. Victor is unhinged. He doesn't operate with boundaries."
"Have you forgotten who I am?" Grace stepped closer, taking my face in her hands. "I spent four years hiding in the shadows from Kane's network. I know how these sociopaths think. Victor doesn't just want to kill you, Daniel—he wants to humiliate you publicly. He wants to see you break."
She pulled out a tablet and brought up a financial grid. "While I was auditing the foundation's books, I tracked a series of suspicious offshore transfers flowing into a local commercial construction firm on the outskirts of Charlotte. That company is registered under the name of Helena Vance... Vanessa’s mother."
I looked at Grace in shock. "Are you saying..."
"Vanessa wasn't just working for Julian Vance—her mother was acting as the bridge for Victor all along!" Grace explained. "Victor set this entire trap years ago. Vanessa was merely his primary pawn, but when she failed, Victor was forced to step out of the shadows himself."
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The pieces fell into place. If Helena Vance was the conduit, she was also our key to flipping the board.
"Marcus," I turned to my security chief. "Pick up Helena Vance quietly. We’re going to turn her into a trap for my dear brother."
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