Chapter 17 - The Fracture of Vance Capital
Within forty-eight hours of my filing with the Department of Justice, the shockwaves tore through the financial district like a hurricane.
Federal marshals executed search warrants at the headquarters of Vance Capital at nine o'clock on Thursday morning. By noon, the trading of Vance Capital’s stock was halted on the New York Stock Exchange. The television monitors lining the walls of my executive boardroom were filled with live footage of agents carrying boxes of servers and documents out of the prestigious Wall Street tower.
Marcus stood beside me, watching the broadcast with a satisfied grin. "The federal prosecutor just froze every domestic account tied to Aegis. Arthur Vance is currently confined to his apartment under electronic monitoring, awaiting his arraignment on twenty-four counts of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy."
"And the board?" I asked.
"The board of Vance Capital has invoked their emergency governance clause," Clara chimed in, entering the room with a stack of printed legal agreements. "They have ousted Arthur Vance as chairman and CEO. And because Whitaker Holdings owns forty-two percent of their senior debt obligations through our acquisition of the Thorne distressed paper... they have formally requested an audience with you, Madam Chair."
"Tell them I will meet them on Monday," I said. "And tell them the terms of our debt forbearance will require the immediate liquidation of all Aegis-related assets, with the proceeds transferred to the federal restitution fund for maritime workers."
"Consider it done," Marcus said, collecting his papers. "Aurelia... this is complete victory. You didn't just avenge yourself against Grayson. You dismantled the entire corrupt syndicate that spent thirty years trying to bleed your grandfather’s name."
I turned away from the monitors, looking out at the city skyline. It should have felt like a conclusion. It should have felt like the final chord of a long, exhausting symphony.
Yet, a deep, instinctual unease tugged at the edge of my mind.
"Where is Grayson?" I asked suddenly.
May you like
Marcus paused at the door. "Our investigators lost track of him after the incident at Sloane’s estate in Southampton. The police issued a warrant for harassment, but he hasn't returned to his Queens apartment. His phone has been disconnected for four days."
"Find him," I ordered, the warmth vanishing from my voice. "A cornered rat doesn't simply lay down and die, Marcus. Especially when he realizes his masters have been caged."
