Chapter 16 - The Manhattan Confrontation|
The following evening, a heavy autumn rain swept across Manhattan, blurring the bright neon lights of the city skyline.
On the seventy-second floor of the Vance Tower, Victoria Vance sat in her corner office overlooking Central Park, sipping red wine from a crystal glass. Her mahogany desk was covered in legal documents, financial reports, and strategic maps of Callahan Shipping assets.
The heavy double doors of her private office burst open.
Victoria didn't even flinch. She set her glass down slowly, looking up at me as I stepped into the room, flanked by Daniel and two senior federal investigators from the Cyber Crime Division.
"Ethan," Victoria murmured, a cold, elegant smile touching her lips. "I didn't expect you in New York so soon. Shouldn't you be getting your house ready for the state inspectors?"
"The state inspectors are satisfied, Victoria," I said, walking slowly across the plush carpet until I stood directly in front of her desk. "And these gentlemen are Federal Agents from the Department of Justice."
Victoria’s smile faltered slightly, her dark eyes darting to the badge hanging from the lead agent's belt.
"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" she demanded, standing up.
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"Victoria Vance," the lead agent announced, pulling a federal warrant from his jacket. "You are under arrest for federal wire fraud, illegal corporate espionage, and conspiracy to commit child endangerment via acoustic assault."
"This is absurd!" Victoria shouted, her voice echoing off the glass walls. "You have no proof connecting me to any of this!"
