Chapter 7 - The Mastermind UnmaskedI didn't flinch. I didn't panic. I simply reached into my coat pocket and pulled out my tablet, tapping the screen twice.
“The meeting you’re referring to at the St. Regis Hotel on October 14th,” I said smoothly, turning the screen toward him. “Here is the public disclosure filing registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission three days prior to that meeting. It was fully compliant with federal law.”
Daniel’s eyes widened as he scanned the official SEC document displayed on the screen.
“Furthermore,” I continued, scrolling to another page, “the photos you’re holding were taken by a private investigator hired by Vanessa Hale using funds stolen from our corporate expense account. Attempting to use illegally obtained documents to extort money from a corporate officer is a Class B felony in the State of New York.”
Daniel’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
“Did you really think my father and I wouldn’t anticipate your every move?” I asked, stepping closer to him so he could hear every quiet word. “Vanessa didn’t just betray me, Daniel. She betrayed you, too.”
I swiped to an audio file on my tablet and hit play.
Vanessa’s voice filled the space between us, crisp and clear:
“Daniel was the one who authorized all the offshore transfers. I was just following his orders. I’m willing to testify against him completely in exchange for full immunity from the district attorney.”
Daniel staggered back as if he had been struck in the chest. “She... she gave you an affidavit?”
“Yesterday morning,” I confirmed coldly. “She traded your freedom for her own plea deal. You are standing here alone, Daniel. You have no money, no allies, no leverage, and now... a fresh extortion charge added to your indictment.”
Marcus stepped forward, pulling his smartphone from his pocket. “The NYPD detective unit is already waiting at the end of the block, Mr. Miller.”
Two police cruisers pulled up to the curb, their red and blue lights flashing against the wet pavement. Two officers stepped out, moving quickly toward Daniel.
“Claire! No! Please!” Daniel screamed as the officers grabbed his wrists and forced them behind his back. “Don’t do this! I’m Lily’s father! You can’t put her father in prison!”
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I looked at him with an icy composure that mirrored my father’s.
“A real father protects his child’s cradle,” I said firmly. “He doesn’t smash it.”
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