Chapter 4 - The Master Deed Revealed
The entire grand hall dropped into a suffocating, breathless silence as I walked across the marble floor. In my arms rested the two cashmere wraps containing Alexander and Gabriel, their peaceful breathing contrasting with the violent tension in the room.
Julian’s jaw dropped in absolute disbelief, his eyes widening until the whites were fully exposed in the glare of the tactical flashlights. “Victoria…? What is this circus? How did you get these federal agents to follow you back to my house?”
I did not answer him; I looked at Charles, who stepped forward and opened the navy leather folder directly before Julian’s face. “This is the certified Master Title Deed for the coastal estate, purchased on June 14, three years ago.”
“The purchaser of this property was not Julian Vance, nor was it the Vance Family Trust,” Charles announced in a voice that echoed like thunder. “The sole, independent purchaser was Victoria Sterling, registered under Sovereign Global Holding Corporation.”
Eleanor took a staggering step backward, her knees trembling as she grabbed the banister for support. “Victoria Sterling…? That’s impossible! Victoria is a penniless seamstress from an orphanage in Detroit!”
“I allowed you to believe I was a struggling designer so I could observe how you managed my father’s logistics empire from the inside, Eleanor,” I spoke with absolute, lethal serenity. “My net worth is nine point six billion dollars, and every luxury you have enjoyed for the past four years was funded by my corporate grace.”
Bianca began to hyperventilate, looking down at the sapphire silk robe she was wearing as if it had suddenly caught fire. “You… you’re the Chairperson of Sovereign Global? The company that owns eighty percent of our international shipping terminals?”
“I own the terminals, I own the ships, and I own the bed you slept in last night, Bianca,” I said, looking at my former maid of honor with pure disdain. “And as of ten minutes ago, your personal checking accounts have been frozen under federal aiding-and-abetting statutes.”
Julian lunged forward with a desperate snarl, reaching for the lapel of my coat. “You tricked me! You trapped me in a fraudulent marriage to steal my family’s heritage!”
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Before Julian’s fingers could come within two inches of my coat, two federal marshals tackled him to the marble floor with bone-shattering force. They twisted his arms behind his back, clicking heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists with aggressive finality.
“Julian Vance, you are under arrest for federal corporate fraud, aggravated perjury, and grand larceny,” Agent Reed stated, driving his knee into Julian’s back. “You have the right to remain silent, though I suggest you save your breath for the grand jury.”
