Chapter 4 - The Vance Counter-Offensive
Before Grant could open his mouth to speak, the heavy oak doors opened once more.
This time, no one knocked.
A tall, silver-haired man in an impeccably tailored navy suit strode into the hall, flanked by two private security operatives. Julian Vance—Sarah’s older brother and the current CEO of Vance Global Aerospace—scanned the room with eyes as cold and sharp as arctic glass.
"I see the family reunion is going well," Julian said smoothly, walking straight to Sarah’s side and resting a protective hand on her shoulder. He looked at General Thomas with undisguised contempt. "I told Sarah coming here was a waste of aviation fuel. You can't expect honorable behavior from people who build their entire lives on hollow medals and fabricated reputations."
General Thomas bristled, his military pride flaring up despite the devastating blow he had just absorbed. "Watch your tongue, Julian! You are standing in an Ashford home!"
"An Ashford home that is currently sitting on land leased from Vance Global," Julian replied with a razor-thin smile, pulling a thin tablet from his inner pocket. "In fact, let’s talk about real estate, General. Or better yet, let's talk about military contracts."
Julian tapped the screen of his tablet.
"Three weeks ago, Grant’s division submitted a multi-million-dollar procurement bid for automated tactical logistics systems. Naturally, as the primary defense supplier, Vance Global reviewed the tender." Julian looked directly at Grant, whose eyes widened in sudden, absolute terror. "We noticed a fascinating discrepancy in Grant's financial disclosures. Shell companies registered in the Cayman Islands funneling kickbacks from foreign defense contractors directly into a private Swiss account bearing Major Grant Ashford’s personal signature."
Grant stumbled backward, colliding heavily against the Christmas tree. Ornaments rattled and fell to the floor, rolling across the hardwood.
"That's... that's classified! That's corporate espionage!" Grant stammered, his voice pitching high with panic. "You hacked my private files!"
"I didn't hack anything, Grant," Julian said coldly. "Your digital security is as incompetent as your domestic planning. My audit team downloaded the whole portfolio during lunch on Tuesday. Copies are currently sitting on the desk of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, as well as the federal prosecutor's office in Denver."
The room spun completely out of control.
Danielle stared at Grant in sheer horror. The man she was marrying for status, power, and prestige wasn't just a disgraced ex-husband—he was a federal criminal about to be stripped of his rank, his pension, and his freedom.
"You... you lied to me too," Danielle whispered, her voice trembling as she tore the expensive diamond engagement ring from her finger and hurled it directly into Grant’s chest. "You said you were a rising star! You said your past was clean! I am calling my father's lawyers right now. We are through!"
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Without looking back, Danielle spun around and stormed out of the manor, slamming the heavy front doors behind her.
Grant stood alone amidst the fallen Christmas ornaments, his career, his upcoming marriage, and his immaculate public image lying shattered around his feet like broken glass.
