Chapter 15 - The Vault in Zurich
I placed a gentle hand on Matteo's forearm, feeling the coiled cord of tension beneath his sleeve.
He paused at my touch, the lethal rage in his eyes softening just enough to let me take the lead.
I stepped forward into the center of the hall, the black silk of my dress whispering against the hardwood floor.
"Julian didn't die because of a tragedy, Father," I said clearly, ensuring every senator and CEO in the room heard every syllable.
"He died because he stole seventy million dollars from men who don't negotiate."
"Lies," Arthur spat, looking around at his peers to rally support.
"She is traumatized, delusional, and covering for De Luca's criminal syndicate!"
"Is that why Julian maintained account number 884-Bravo at Banque Cantonale de Genève?" I asked calmly, opening my silver clutch.
I pulled out a folded sheaf of financial documentation, holding it up for the room to see.
"An account registered under the shell corporation 'Vance Holdings Ltd,' funded by kickbacks from the city port authority?"
Arthur's face turned from pale to an ashen gray, his knees visibly buckling beneath his chair.
"You... you couldn't have cracked those keys," Arthur stammered, his polished veneer cracking wide open.
"Julian thought he was clever with forty-digit alphanumeric encryption," I said with a cold, triumphant smile.
"He forgot that I was the one who designed the algorithm for him three years ago when he threatened to kill my brother."
Eleanor buried her face in her hands, weeping softly into her silk napkin.
"Special Prosecutor Miller won't be serving any injunctions tomorrow, Father," I continued, taking another slow step toward him.
"Because at four o'clock this afternoon, Matteo and I handed Miller's personal tax evasion records to the state attorney general."
"You destroyed our family name for him?" Arthur roared, pointing a trembling, accusatory finger at Matteo.
"You destroyed this family the day you traded me like cattle to a monster," I said, my voice echoing with absolute finality.
"Matteo didn't take me from you; he saved me from the grave you dug for me."
Matteo stepped up behind me, placing a strong, warm hand on the small of my back.
May you like
"Tomorrow morning, Arthur, your board will demand your resignation," Matteo announced to the paralyzed room.
"If you are still in this state by nightfall, Marco will ensure your retirement is permanent."
