Chapter 4 - The DNA of an EmpireThe conference room descended into a suffocating, dead silence. You could hear the hum of the ventilation system and the distant sirens wailing down on the Minneapolis streets forty floors below.
Viktor Vance, the general counsel, adjusted his tie with trembling fingers and leaned over toward Trevor, whispering frantically in his ear. Then Viktor looked up at Arthur Vance, forcing a tight, nervous smile.
"With all due respect, Mr. Vance," Viktor stammered, clearing his throat. "Even if Mrs. Cross—or Ms. Cross, legally speaking—retains a pre-incorporation stake, that document is over six years old. It was superseded by subsequent venture capital rounds, debt restructuring, and marital dissolution decrees filed in Hennepin County District Court. A family court judge already granted Mr. Cross full administrative control of the primary holdings during the divorce proceedings."
I turned my gaze slowly toward Viktor, a cold, humorless smile touching my lips.
"You’re entirely right about family court, Viktor," I said smoothly. "Family court judges rule on marital property, alimony, and division of joint assets based on the financial disclosures provided by both parties during discovery."
I opened the second folder from my briefcase and slid a certified federal document across the mahogany table toward him.
"Which is why the United States District Attorney’s office is currently reviewing a separate filing regarding perjury, concealment of corporate assets, and deliberate falsification of financial disclosures during a federal bankruptcy and securities audit."
Color drained entirely from Viktor’s face. He snatched up the paper, his eyes darting frantically across the legal seals and case numbers.
"This... this is absurd," Viktor choked out, dropping the paper as if it had burned his fingers. "You can't—this requires a federal indictment—!"
"It already has one, counselor," a deep, authoritative voice echoed from the doorway.
The heavy oak doors pushed open wider, and two federal marshals in dark suits stepped calmly into the boardroom, flanked by an assistant U.S. attorney holding a thick stack of blue-backed warrants.
Trevor recoiled as if he had been struck physically. "What is the meaning of this? You can't arrest my attorney in my boardroom!"
"We aren't just arresting your attorney, Mr. Cross," the federal prosecutor said calmly, holding up an arrest warrant bearing a federal judge's signature. "We are executing warrants for corporate wire fraud, tax evasion, and illicit transfer of R&D funds through offshore shell companies in the Caymans—funds directly tied to Cross Meridian Group's capital accounts."
Sienna let out a sharp, hysterical shriek. "Trevor! What have you done? Are you insane? You told me your business was clean! You told me you were a billionaire!"
"Sienna, shut up," Trevor snapped, his voice cracking with panic as he turned on her like a cornered animal. "This is just a misunderstanding! Audrey is just—she’s just playing dirty because she’s bitter about the divorce!"
"Bitter?" I asked, stepping closer until I could smell the expensive cologne he wore—the exact same scent I used to buy him for our anniversaries, before I realized what a cheap counterfeit he really was. "Trevor, I haven't felt bitterness toward you in months. I spent the last nine months raising two healthy, brilliant boys who will never have to look at their father across a courtroom and wonder if he traded them for a magazine cover."
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I turned my back on him, walking back to the stroller where Henry and Miles were just beginning to stir, letting out soft, sleepy yawns that sounded like music in the tense, terrifying room.
"Federal marshals," I said quietly, without looking back. "Please escort Mr. Vance and Mr. Cross down to the federal holding facility. The board has a transition of leadership to vote on, and we have very little time to waste."
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