Chapter 4 - The Unseen Paper Trail
Miles away in his downtown skyscraper office, Jonathan Vance watched numbers rapidly scroll across three large computer monitors.
"Dr. Sterling, you won't believe this," Jonathan said, his voice dropping into a tense tone. "They didn't just siphon money from your medical research foundation. Valeria’s father, Richard Vance, forged your digital signature three days ago."
Arthur held the phone tight against his ear, stepping out of bed onto the dry rug. "What did he sign, Jonathan?"
"A mortgage transfer," Jonathan revealed. "He used your signature to pledge this $18 million mansion as collateral against a $10 million private loan from a hard-money lender in New Cayman."
Arthur's jaw tightened. "And where did the $10 million go?"
"Straight into an account registered under Valeria's maiden name," Jonathan replied. "She's planning to clear out the account by noon today."
Arthur looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The water had dried, leaving his silver hair wild, but his dark eyes were clear and menacing.
May you like
"Execute the emergency freeze protocol immediately," Arthur ordered. "And contact Detective Miller at the Financial Crimes Division. Tell him I'm pressing full criminal charges."
👉 How did Valeria react when her black card was declined twenty minutes later at the luxury catering boutique?
