Chapter 11 - The Empire Crumbles
By 11:00 AM, news of the financial restructuring at Vance Logistics had leaked to every major financial outlet in New York. The company’s stock stabilized under Apex Capital’s takeover, but the drama in the penthouse suite was far from over.
In a luxury corner office three blocks away, Victor Hastings—Claire’s father and the head of Hastings Shipping—stared at his television screen in utter disbelief.
"What do you mean all our contracts with Vance Logistics were terminated?" Victor shouted into his desk phone. "We have a binding exclusivity agreement!"
The office door banged open. Four federal officers in black jackets walked in, accompanied by two representatives from the District Attorney's office.
"Victor Hastings?" the lead agent asked, pulling an arrest warrant from his inner pocket. "You're under arrest for corporate fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit grand larceny."
Victor’s phone fell from his grip. Behind the agents, Claire stood in tears, handcuffed and escorted by two uniformed officers.
"Dad! Do something!" Claire sobbed. "Evelyn Sterling took over Vance Logistics! She canceled everything! She locked my accounts!"
Victor slumped into his leather chair as the handcuffs clicked around his wrists. "Evelyn Sterling... the quiet daughter of Sterling Development? How could she do this?"
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"Because you mistook her restraint for weakness," the federal agent said bluntly, escorting them both out of the building into waiting police cruisers.
👉 Read PART 12 to see what happened to Marcus when he tried to flee the country!
