Chapter 6 - Assets Frozen
The corporate headquarters of Vance Industrial Group on Wall Street buzzed with nervous energy. Tuesday morning had arrived, and the annual board of directors meeting was scheduled in the executive boardroom on the forty-second floor.
Arthur Pendelton, the senior managing director and Victoria’s primary corporate ally within the firm, sat at the head of the mahogany conference table. He adjusted his silk tie, looking smugly around the room at the other twelve executives. Rumors of Victoria’s sudden arrest had trickled through the financial blogs, but Pendelton had spent the last twenty-four hours spinning a narrative that Julian was experiencing a mental breakdown and launching a hostile purge against his own management team.
The glass doors swung open.
Julian walked in. He wore a crisp charcoal suit, his posture rigid and commanding. Behind him walked two federal marshals carrying thick black briefcases and a representative from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Pendelton stood up immediately, slamming his palms onto the table. "Julian! What is the meaning of this? We have an emergency quorum to discuss your erratic behavior and the scandalous rumors surrounding your domestic life—"
"Save your breath, Arthur," Julian interrupted, his voice cutting through the room like a razor blade. He walked to the center of the table and tossed a thick stack of federal freeze orders onto the polished wood.
Pendelton blinked, his smug expression faltering. "What... what are these?"
"Those are federal asset-freeze warrants linked directly to Victoria’s personal accounts and her undisclosed shell corporations," Julian stated coldly. "Corporations that, as of this morning's forensic audit, received over four million dollars in embezzled R&D funds—funneled directly through your office signature, Arthur."
The boardroom erupted into frantic murmurs. Several board members pushed their chairs back from the table, staring at Pendelton in sheer disbelief.
Pendelton’s face turned the color of curdled milk. He stammered, his fingers trembling as he reached for the papers. "This is... this is a frame-up! A malicious corporate maneuver! You have no proof—"
"I have the digital ledgers, the wire transfer receipts, and sworn depositions from the offshore banking institutions," Julian said, stepping closer until he towered over the panicked director. "Federal marshals, please escort Mr. Pendelton out of the building. His corporate clearance has been permanently revoked."
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As the marshals stepped forward, gripping Pendelton by his bespoke suit jacket and hauling him toward the doors, Julian didn't even watch him leave. He sat down at the head of the table, opened his leather portfolio, and looked out across his board of directors with absolute, unshakeable authority.
"Now," Julian said calmly. "Let’s get back to business."
