Chapter 19 - THE FIRST ATTACK
The attack came without warning.
At 7:15 the next morning, three Sterling-Apex freight terminals stopped processing shipments.
Not because of a strike.
Not because of equipment failure.
Because their operating permits had suddenly been challenged.
A regulatory filing claimed that Sterling-Apex had failed to disclose an ownership interest connected to Apex Capital.
Arthur rushed into Evelyn's office.
“Someone filed an emergency injunction.”
“Who?”
“Northbridge's attorneys.”
Evelyn looked at the documents.
The claim was technically complicated.
But the intention was simple.
Slow Sterling-Apex down.
Create uncertainty.
Then force Evelyn to buy Halcyon at an inflated price.
She called the legal department.
“Challenge the filing.”
“We can.”
“How long?”
“Several weeks.”
Evelyn looked at the clock.
“We don't have several weeks.”
Arthur nodded.
“What do you want to do?”
“Don't fight the injunction first.”
Arthur looked surprised.
“Then what?”
“Find out what they know.”
Within hours, Evelyn discovered the source.
Someone inside Sterling-Apex had provided Northbridge with confidential operational data.
A board member.
The question was which one.
Evelyn called an emergency meeting.
She said nothing about the leak.
Instead, she announced a temporary review of all senior access credentials.
Then she watched.
Someone would panic.
Someone always did.
That night, one executive suddenly resigned.
His name was Richard Bell.
And Evelyn knew him well.
May you like
He had been with her father for twenty years.
---
