Chapter 8 - THE ASHES OF AN EMPIREBy 3:00 AM, the flashing blue lights of federal and state police cruisers illuminated Greystone Manor like a gruesome holiday display.
Julian Vance and Vivienne Sterling sat handcuffed in the back of separate transport vans, shivering in the cold November rain as reporters began swarming the estate gates like vultures. The corporate empire was fractured, the offshore accounts were frozen by federal warrant, and the board of Vance Global was already holding an emergency sunrise conference call to oust every last associate tied to the conspiracy.
I stood on the grand front porch, holding a steaming cup of black coffee, watching the tail-lights of the police convoy disappear down the winding driveway.
Marco stepped up beside me, silently handing me a small, damp brown rabbit toy that had fallen out of Rosie’s arms during the chaos.
“The child’s with social services and a medical team, Mr. Vance,” Marco said quietly. “She’s going to be fine. Her aunt from Boston is already on her way to take her in.”
I nodded, looking down at the worn toy in my hand. “And Sofia’s estate?”
“Fully reinstated, sir. Every penny of compensation she was cheated out of, plus a trust fund for Rosie that will cover her through university. Handled personally by my legal team.”
May you like
I let out a long breath, watching the steam rise into the cold night air.
“Good.”
