Chapter 5 - The Frame-Job Unfolds
The next morning, the Manhattan news cycles exploded with shocking headlines.
Tyler Vance had called a sudden emergency press conference outside the federal courthouse, flanked by high-priced defense attorneys.
"My fiancée, Clara Sterling, and her father have embezzled tens of millions from our joint investment fund!" Tyler lied smoothly into the bank of news microphones, posing as a devastated victim. "When I confronted Clara last night, she fled with a notorious criminal syndicate boss! They are trying to silence me before I hand this evidence over to the Department of Justice!"
Inside the security compound of the Romano estate, Clara watched the television broadcast in utter horror.
"He's destroying my father’s life’s work!" Clara cried out, her fists clenching tightly as she stood up from the velvet sofa. "The police are going to raid my father's house! He can't handle this, Matteo... his heart is too weak!"
Matteo stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, sipping espresso while reviewing tactical maps on a tablet. He turned to face her, his stoic expression completely unbothered by Tyler’s public spectacle.
"Let Tyler speak," Matteo said calmly. "The higher an arrogant man builds his pedestal, the harder he hits the concrete when it crumbles."
"How can you be so calm?" Clara demanded, stepping closer to him with fierce, desperate energy. "He’s framing my family!"
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Matteo set his cup down, looking dead into her eyes. "Because Tyler made one fatal mistake when he staged this frame-job."
👉 Click to continue reading and find out what crucial mistake Tyler made.
