Chapter 4 - The Ghost in the OfficeElena Vance sat in her new office—a sleek, minimalist suite on the thirty-second floor overlooking Central Park. There was no plaque on the door yet, but the directory downstairs already listed her name: Elena Corwin, Managing Partner, Corwin Forensic Recovery.
She wore a charcoal pantsuit, her hair pulled back into a sharp, flawless knot. On her desk sat a single porcelain cup of black coffee and an open laptop displaying the live financial feeds of Vance Merritt Partners.
The door opened quietly, and Silas Reed walked in, holding a leather folder.
“The board has officially voted to oust him,” Silas said, taking a seat opposite her. “Arthur Vance tried to salvage the partnership, but once the SEC saw the forged signatures on the Long Island mortgage, they initiated an independent criminal probe. Malcolm is looking at ten to fifteen years.”
Elena didn't look up from her screen. “And Sophia?”
“She tried to flee to Miami this morning using a corporate credit card. Her accounts were flagged at the airport. Her social media channels are currently being flooded with comments asking if her lifestyle was funded by federal crimes.” Silas smiled faintly. “She’s deleting her accounts as we speak.”
Elena took a slow sip of her coffee. “Good. People who build empires on stolen foundations deserve to watch them crumble into dust.”
“There’s one more thing,” Silas said, sliding the folder forward. “Malcolm is on a flight back from St. Barts. He landed in New York thirty minutes ago. He has no money, no car, and no place to sleep. He’s coming here.”
May you like
Elena finally raised her eyes. They were as cold and clear as winter ice.
“Let him come.”
