Chapter 5 - The 50-Million-Dollar Cartel Heist
Mila stared at the giant screens, her hands clutching the warm ceramic tea mug, the puzzle locking together with terrifying clarity.
"Bradley Vance approached me at the corporate logistics summit in Boston three months ago," Mila whispered, looking up at Luca. "He offered me two million dollars in cash to 'consult' on shipping timetables. I rejected him immediately and reported the contact to corporate security."
"And when bribery failed," Luca spoke, his voice dropping into a lethal, subterranean register, "Vance hired private mercenaries to break into your home, threaten your life, and force you into treason."
Arthur Pendelton adjusted his gold-rimmed spectacles, turning to Page 14 of the audit dossier:
"Furthermore, Luca, Bradley Vance has organized a private VIP shareholder gala tomorrow evening at 8:00 PM at the Drake Hotel Ballroom, where he plans to formally announce the hostile takeover of our municipal shipping berths, backed by corrupt city commissioners he has bribed with ten million dollars in offshore bearer bonds."
Arthur looked at Luca, a sharp, predatory smile touching the corners of his weathered lips.
"Bradley Vance believes Miss Hayes is currently terrified, isolated, and preparing to surrender the encryption codes before Friday's deadline."
Luca walked slowly across the marble floor, stopping before the sofa where Mila sat.
He knelt down on one knee before her, resting his large, warm hand over hers on the tea mug.
"Mila," Luca spoke softly, his gray eyes searching hers with profound, unwavering resolve. "Tomorrow night, Bradley Vance expects to celebrate his victory in front of five hundred high-society investors and politicians."
Luca squeezed her hand gently.
"Will you walk into that ballroom beside me... and help me dismantle his empire?"
Mila looked into the eyes of the man who had answered her drunk text in ten minutes, the man who had surrounded her with an army of protection without asking for a single explanation.
May you like
The quiet, terrified assistant inside her burned away in a single second.
"Iāll wear the red dress, Luca," Mila smiled softly.
