Everyone watched Victoria raise her hand against a helpless elderly woman, but only one waitress dared to stop her—and seconds later, Chicago’s most powerful billionaire walked straight toward them. / Chapter 46 / 191

Chapter 46 - The Senator’s Web

Vincent looked out through the cabin window toward the distant VIP lounge monitors visible through the glass terminal walls.

Across every major broadcast network, breaking news banners flashed in glaring red letters:

*BILLIONAIRE VINCENT MORETTI DECLARED FUGITIVE IN MULTI-STATE TREASON AND RACKETEERING PROBE.*

*DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FREEZES MORETTI ENTERPRISES ASSETS NATIONWIDE.*

*CHICAGO HEADQUARTERS RAIDED FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION AND FOREIGN INTERFERENCE.*

Marcus Vance laughed through the phone, a dry, cold sound that echoed with political triumph.

"You won the tarmac, Vincent," Vance sneered. "Congratulations. You saved a dying old woman. But while you were playing commando at O'Hare, the Attorney General signed an emergency seizure order. Every bank account, every offshore trust, every corporate building under your name is frozen. Your private jet licenses are revoked. The National Guard has been authorized to assist federal marshals in your apprehension."

Emma stared at the screen through the window, horror washing over her. "They... they froze everything? They're calling you a traitor?"

"You played by the old rules, Vincent," Vance continued smoothly. "Your father thought he was untouchable because he had money. But money means nothing compared to the power of the State. By nightfall, you will have no resources, no allies, and nowhere to run. Bring the girl and the old woman to my private estate in Lake Forest. Surrender the documents, and perhaps I will let you serve your life sentence in a medium-security facility."

Vincent’s jaw set like iron. He didn't raise his voice; instead, his tone dropped to an icy whisper that sent a chill through the line.

"You made a fatal mistake, Marcus."

"Oh? And what would that be?" Vance scoffed.

"You assumed my power came from my money," Vincent said evenly. "My father built this empire with steel, blood, and loyal men who would die before they bow to a corrupt senator. You have the courts. You have the television cameras. But I have the truth. And before this week is over, you will beg for the safety of a federal cell."

Vincent crushed the burner phone beneath the heel of his boot, grinding the circuit board to dust.

"Vincent..." Emma asked, her eyes wide with worry. "Where do we go? The whole country is looking for you."

Vincent turned to her grandmother, his gaze respectful yet penetrating. "Mrs. Hayes. Did you bring it?"

Mrs. Hayes nodded slowly. With trembling fingers, she reached inside the lining of her worn winter coat, unpicking a concealed seam with a small safety pin. From within the fabric, she pulled out a small, leather-bound black ledger, its edges yellowed with age, stamped with the official seal of the Chicago Municipal Auditing Department from thirty-five years ago.

"My husband told me never to open this until the day the Moretti family came for it," Mrs. Hayes whispered, placing the ledger into Vincent’s hands. "He said this contains every bribe, every wire transfer, and every death Marcus Vance ever ordered."

Vincent held the small book in his hands, feeling the immense weight of the past.