Chapter 4 - Vanessa’s Arrogant Victory Brunch Shattered By Process Servers
While Daniel was experiencing a full-blown psychiatric collapse in the empty penthouse, Vanessa Cole was celebrating what she believed was her final victory.
At 11:00 AM on Friday morning, Vanessa was hosting a champagne brunch for six of her high-society friends at an exclusive outdoor terrace restaurant in SoHo.
She wore a custom Chanel tweed dress, a diamond choker that Daniel had purchased with a corporate expense card, and a triumphant, smug grin.
“It’s finally happening, girls,” Vanessa boasted, clinking her crystal mimosa glass against her friends' glasses. “The Nordic merger closes next week. Daniel is buying out Claire’s postnuptial settlement, and by next month, I’m moving into the penthouse on 72nd Street.”
One of her friends, a fashion editor named Chloe, smiled nervously. “Isn't Claire eight months pregnant, Vanessa? Won’t that create an enormous public relations scandal for Mercer Dynamics?”
Vanessa waved her manicured hand dismissively, letting out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Oh, please. Claire is a mouse. She has zero personality, zero family influence, and zero courage. She’ll take her little five-million-dollar child support check, move back to some quiet suburb, and disappear like a good little mother. She wouldn't dare challenge Daniel.”
Just as Vanessa was taking a bite of her smoked salmon tartine, two men in dark tailored suits walked onto the private terrace accompanied by the restaurant manager.
The lead man carried a heavy, sealed leather portfolio.
He approached the head of the table, looking directly at Vanessa.
“Vanessa Cole?” the man asked in a crisp, authoritative tone.
Vanessa frowned, lowering her fork with annoyance. “Yes? Whatever you’re selling, speak to my assistant.”
“You are formally served with a Federal Subpoena and Emergency Civil Freezing Injunction issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York,” the process server announced loudly.
The entire terrace fell dead silent.
Vanessa’s friends froze, their champagne glasses suspended in mid-air.
“What is this garbage?!” Vanessa shrieked, pushing the envelope away.
“Inside that portfolio,” the server stated clearly for every diner to hear, “is a formal clawback lawsuit filed by the Sterling Family Trust for $1.8 million in embezzled corporate assets and fraudulent luxury gifts transferred to you by Daniel Mercer over the past thirty-six months. Furthermore, your Fifth Avenue apartment lease—guaranteed by Mercer Dynamics—has been terminated with twenty-four hours’ notice.”
Vanessa’s face turned the color of chalk. “Embezzled?! Daniel gave me those gifts!”
“Daniel used corporate funds held under the Sterling Trust indemnity facility without trustee authorization,” the server replied coldly. “The FBI’s Corporate Fraud Division has also been notified. Have a wonderful brunch, Ms. Cole.”
May you like
Vanessa stood up so fast she knocked over her champagne flute.
The sparkling wine spilled across the white linen, dripping onto her Chanel dress, as her high-society friends stared at her in sheer, horrified disgust.
Related Stories
