Chapter 6 - The Architect of Ruin
“What is the meaning of this?” Arthur Dre’s voice boomed across the silent room. He was seventy-two years old, with silver hair and the commanding presence of an old-world titan. “Vance? Why are federal agents in my house?”
“Arthur,” Marcus said clearly, so every board member and socialite could hear. “Your son and Ms. Vale have spent the last six months orchestrating the fraudulent liquidation of your core holdings.”
Matthias stepped forward, his hands trembling violently.
“That’s a lie!” Matthias screamed, his voice cracking with hysteria. “Father, don't listen to him! Serena set this up! She’s trying to extort me because of our divorce!”
I walked out of the shadow of the foyer and stepped directly into the center of the ballroom.
All eyes turned to me.
“Divorce?” I said, my voice steady and resonant. “Matthias, we haven't filed for divorce yet. But since you brought it up, let’s talk about your assets.”
I reached into my handbag and pulled out a stack of laminated documents.
I threw them onto the glass coffee table in the center of the room.
“Those are the wire transfers from the New Haven account,” I said, looking at Arthur. “Matthias used company funds to purchase millions in unlisted put options against Dre Enterprises through an offshore entity registered in Fiona Vale’s maiden name.”
Arthur’s face darkened with rage. He looked at the papers, then looked at his only son.
“Matthias… what did you do?”
“She’s lying, Dad!” Matthias pleaded, sweating profusely. “Fiona was just a consultant! She negotiated the Hensley deal!”
“Fiona Vale’s real name is Fiona Hensley,” Marcus Vance announced, stepping forward. “She is the daughter of Julian Hensley, whose firm went bankrupt during the 2008 crash after Arthur Dre refused to bail them out. This wasn't an acquisition, Matthias. It was a targeted vendetta.”
Matthias looked at Fiona.
Fiona didn't look back. She stood in her handcuffs, glaring at the floor with raw hatred.
“You told me you loved me,” Matthias stammered, looking completely broken. “You said we were going to run the firm together.”
Fiona lifted her head and let out a cruel, mocking laugh that echoed off the chandeliers.
“You pathetic little boy,” she spat. “You were nothing but a signature with an expensive last name. I needed someone stupid enough to bypass Arthur’s security protocols, and you handed them over for a hotel room and a necklace.”
Matthias collapsed onto one of the velvet armchairs, clutching his head in his hands.
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The silence in the room was absolute.
Sixty of the most influential people in New England watched as the heir to the Dre dynasty was stripped of every shred of dignity.
