Chapter 2 - THE FROZEN ASSETSThe high-pitched chirp of emergency financial alerts echoed off the vaulted stained-glass windows of the memorial chapel like a barrage of warning shots.
Vivian’s hand froze as she reached into her designer handbag for her compact mirror. Frowning in annoyance, she pulled out her phone.
"What on earth..." she muttered, swiping open the screen.
The color drained from her face faster than water down a drain.
ALERT: PRIMARY BUSINESS ACCOUNTS FROZEN. SUSPICION OF MONEY LAUNDERING AND FRAUDULENT CORPORATE EMBEZZLEMENT.
"No," Vivian whispered, her voice cracking. She tapped frantically, trying to access her private trust portfolio—the multi-million-dollar fund she had secretly been siphoning from Mercer Biomedical for the past three years.
ACCESS DENIED. ACCOUNT LOCKED UNDER FEDERAL MANDATE 88-B.
"Claire!" Vivian shrieked, whirling around to face me, her mask of cool sophistication completely shattered. "What did you do?! What did you tell them?!"
I didn't answer. I stepped over the scattered pearls, my legs finally steadying beneath me as the adrenaline coursed through my veins.
The three men in gray suits rose simultaneously from the back pew, their footsteps echoing heavily against the marble floor as they marched straight down the central aisle.
The mourners parted in terror, whispering frantically.
May you like
Director Vance stopped directly in front of Vivian, flashing a gold federal badge that gleamed under the chapel lights.
"Vivian Hale?" Vance’s voice was like grinding stones. "You are under federal investigation for corporate fraud, asset stripping, and the illegal forgery of medical documents relating to the Mercer estate. Put your hands behind your back."
