Chapter 15 - Victor’s Endgame
The account list changed everything.
There were enough records to show decades of hidden reserves.
Enough to implicate Vivian.
Enough to expose Victor.
Enough to destroy half the family’s reputation.
Adrian called Dana.
“Take it to federal investigators.”
Vivian stood.
“No.”
Adrian looked at her.
“No?”
“You release that, your father’s name is finished.”
“He’s dead.”
“He built this family.”
“He also built the mess.”
Vivian’s eyes flashed.
“You don’t understand what survival cost us.”
Adrian’s voice was flat.
“I understand exactly what it cost Elena.”
That ended the argument.
Dana arrived with two investigators.
Vivian gave a statement.
By noon, subpoenas were moving.
By three, Victor disappeared.
Raymond did too.
Claire returned to Bellamy House.
For the first time in days, she sat alone.
Adrian found her in the dining room.
“You should go home.”
“So should you.”
“I own the place.”
“Bad excuse.”
He sat across from her.
“You were right.”
“About what?”
“Documents lasting longer.”
Claire looked at him.
“Careful. Compliments make me suspicious.”
He smiled faintly.
Then grew serious.
“When this is over, I want you to run internal audit.”
Claire laughed.
“I’m serious.”
“That’s worse.”
“You’re qualified.”
“I’m toxic in this industry.”
“Not to me.”
“That sentence sounds more romantic than you probably intended.”
Adrian paused.
“Maybe.”
Claire stared.
He looked away first.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Victor.
“Put Claire on.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
Claire took the phone.
“What?”
Victor sounded calm.
“You think the account list saves you?”
“It saves everyone from believing you.”
“No. It gives investigators old history.”
“And current theft.”
“Raymond’s theft.”
“Your structure.”
Victor laughed.
“You always were good.”
“Thank you.”
“That wasn’t praise.”
“I’ll survive.”
His voice dropped.
“You have one problem.”
“What?”
“Raymond has the original Elena file.”
Claire froze.
“What file?”
“The one showing what actually happened to her.”
“Where is he?”
“You’ll find out.”
Victor hung up.
Thirty seconds later, every news station in Chicago received the same anonymous package.
A video clip.
May you like
Raymond Keller dragging an unconscious Elena Ruiz through Adrian Vale’s parking garage.
And Adrian’s car waiting beside them.
