Chapter 6 - THE TRAP CLOSES INThree days later, the fallout hit Wall Street like a seismic shockwave.
Headlines across every major financial newspaper blared: TECH FRAUD SCANDAL: VANCE ENTERPRISES ASSETS FROZEN BY FEDERAL MARSHALS. FORMER EXECUTIVE RICHARD VANCE FACES CHARGES OF CORPORATE ARSON AND EMBEZZLEMENT.
Inside the glass-walled conference room of Vance Enterprises, Richard stood alone. His executive desk was bare. His computer had been seized by federal agents two hours prior. The board of directors had voted unanimously to strip him of all titles and stock options.
The heavy glass doors pushed open.
Richard spun around, expecting federal marshals. Instead, it was Valerie—her makeup smeared, her designer handbag clutched tightly in her hands.
"Richard, what is happening?!" Valerie shrieked, her voice frantic. "Our credit cards are declined! My apartment account was frozen by the bank! Who is this Luka Moretti guy?!"
"I don't know!" Richard yelled, slamming his fist against the mahogany desk. "He came out of nowhere! He has judges in his pocket, federal prosecutors on speed dial, and an army of lawyers who tore our corporate structure apart in forty-eight hours!"
Before Valerie could answer, the door swung open again.
Two federal agents in dark suits walked in, flanked by a tall, formidable lawyer carrying a thick leather portfolio.
"Richard Vance?" the lead agent asked flatly.
"Yes?" Richard swallowed hard.
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"You are under arrest for federal wire fraud, conspiracy to commit arson, and extortion," the agent stated, snapping heavy steel handcuffs onto Richard’s wrists. "You have the right to remain silent."
As they dragged a kicking and screaming Richard out of the office, Valerie collapsed into a leather chair, weeping hysterically in an empty, silent room.
