Chapter 6 - the sanctuary of the estate
The rain began to pour heavily over the tarmac at Teterboro Airport as three black armored SUVs tore through the perimeter gates, their engines roaring against the storm.
A sleek Gulfstream private jet stood near the runway, its turbines humming as ground crew prepped the stairs.
Julian Vance—a silver-haired, sixty-year-old executive in a tailored charcoal coat—was hastily walking toward the jet stairs, clutching a heavy leather briefcase.
Before his foot could touch the first step, two armored SUVs skidded across the wet asphalt, blocking the jet's path, while a third SUV pulled up directly behind his vehicle.
The doors flew open. Marco DeLuca and six heavy enforcers stepped out, their dark suits soaked by the rain, sidearms raised with absolute precision.
From the rear seat of the lead SUV, Dominic Moretti stepped onto the wet tarmac. He wore his beige suit jacket draped over his broad shoulders, his open-collar white shirt wet from the rain, his dark hair plastered against his sharp forehead. He walked toward Julian with slow, terrifyingly calm steps.
"Leaving so soon, Julian?" Dominic’s voice boomed over the roar of the jet engines.
Julian spun around, his face pale, his knuckles white around the handle of his briefcase. "Dominic! What is the meaning of this? I have an emergency board meeting in Switzerland!"
"The meeting is canceled," Dominic said, stopping three feet away. "Your Swiss accounts have been frozen by federal order as of ten minutes ago."
Julian’s eyes widened in sheer panic. "You can't do this! I am a senior partner! I own thirty percent of the distribution network!"
"You owned thirty percent," Dominic corrected calmly. "Until three hours ago, when the codicil signed by my father was validated by the supreme court executor. The twenty percent held by Anna Carter gave me fifty-one percent absolute majority control."
Dominic reached out, taking the leather briefcase from Julian's hands. He popped the latches, opening it in the rain. Inside lay stacks of bearer bonds, offshore passports, and a encrypted hard drive containing the master ledger of Julian's thirty-year embezzlement scheme.
Julian dropped to his knees on the wet asphalt, sobbing in terror as Marco’s men stepped forward and slapped heavy steel cuffs onto his wrists.
"Take him to the sub-level vault," Dominic commanded flatly. "He will answer for my father's death before sunrise."
Dominic turned back to his SUV. As he opened the door, he saw Anna sitting inside, watching through the rain-streaked window with Lily sleeping in her lap.
May you like
Dominic climbed into the front seat, looking back at them in the soft interior light.
"It's over, Anna," Dominic said gently. "He will never threaten you again."
