Chapter 12 - Unmasking the Viper
Richard Vance forced an uneasy, patronizing smile as Claire mounted the stage steps, standing just feet away from him at the podium.
"Ah, Charlotte," Richard chuckled into the dead microphone, attempting to recover his composure with condescending warmth. "How lovely of you to grace us. I suppose your father didn't teach you that children should stay out of adult matters. Corporate governance is a bit more complicated than serving cocktails."
Claire didn't smile. She reached into her sleek leather clutch, pulled out a slim flash drive, and calmly walked over to the AV control panel embedded in the podium, plugging it directly into the master system.
"You're right, Richard," Claire said, her voice projecting clearly through the backup speakers across the entire ballroom. "Corporate governance is complicated. Especially when your entire career is built on corporate fraud, embezzlement, and industrial sabotage."
Richard's smug expression cracked for a split second, a flicker of genuine panic flashing in his eyes. "What absolute nonsense. Security, escort this unhinged girl off the stage—"
"Don't move," a deep, gravelly voice commanded from the floor. Augustus Carver stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Richard with the terrifying focus of a predator closing in on its prey. At the same time, two federal marshals in dark suits emerged from the wings, flanking the stage on either side.
Claire pressed a single button on the console.
Behind them, the massive projection screen that normally displayed corporate logos flickered to life. Instantly, high-resolution financial ledgers, recorded wire transfers, and scanned copies of handwritten agreements appeared in glaring digital clarity for every guest to see.
The Embezzlement: Detailed bank statements showing millions funneled from Carver Global shell accounts directly into Richard Vance’s offshore Swiss holdings.
The Conspiracy: The original 2019 memos proving Richard engineered the false scandals to drive a wedge between Augustus and Claire.
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The Accomplice: Signed contracts linking Richard directly to Dominic Rainer's early, illegal nightlife ventures.
The ballroom erupted into chaotic whispers. Rich socialites scrambled to read the data flashing on the screen, realizing they were witnessing the public execution of one of Wall Street's most prominent figures.
