Chapter 19 - Shadows in the Dark
Though the signing ceremony concluded in triumphant success, an uninvited guest at the exclusive private reception abruptly threatened to disrupt the festive atmosphere.
In a secluded corner of the opulent ballroom, a dark-suited man with a faint scar along his right cheek stood drinking alone, his eyes locked onto me. It was Victor Vance—Julian's half-brother, notorious as an underground financial warlord specializing in illicit European market manipulation.
As Richard stepped away briefly to fetch a glass of water for me, Victor strolled over smoothly, raising his champagne flute with a dangerous smile.
"Congratulations, Madam Evelyn. You ousted Dominic, then locked away Julian. You truly excel at cleaning up our family's garbage," Victor murmured in a low, menacing tone.
I sipped my champagne, facing him without a flicker of fear. "If your family had bothered educating its men properly from the start, I wouldn't have had to exhaust myself doing your housework."
A stinging truth. Victor's eyes narrowed as his smile vanished entirely. "Do not assume that snapping up a few floating shares gives you the right to look down on the Vance lineage. New York is not Chicago, Evelyn. Dirty games carry an entirely different definition here."
"A warning, Victor?" I tilted my head, an inquiring, challenging smile playing on my lips. "You ought to worry about your Swiss bank accounts instead. Because right now, international financial regulators are knocking on your Zurich office door."
Victor's composure shattered entirely. Before he could speak, his tailored jacket pocket buzzed persistently. He snatched his phone out, glanced at the screen, and the ashen pallor overtaking his features confirmed everything.
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"You... what did you do?" Victor hissed, his voice trembling.
"I merely returned the courtesy Dominic extended to me on a cold winter night," I replied softly. "Goodbye, Victor. Enjoy your extended stay behind bars."
