Chapter 6 - Unraveling the Web
By the following morning, the corporate machinery of Russo Holdings had swung into motion with terrifying efficiency.
Marcus Vance arrived at the regional office downtown expecting a routine Monday morning meeting. Instead, he found corporate internal audit, federal compliance investigators, and two of Damian’s private legal counsel waiting for him in his office.
By noon, Vance’s corporate accounts had been frozen, his laptop seized, and his involvement in the predatory lending ring exposed through a paper trail that led directly back to his personal offshore accounts.
Back at the Russo estate, the atmosphere had shifted. The quiet remained, but the oppressive, heavy tension that had hung over the service quarters for months evaporated.
Claire was in the main kitchen, preparing the morning tea, when the head housekeeper, Mrs. Gable, approached her with a wide, rare smile.
"Claire, Mr. Russo’s executive assistant is on the phone for you. Line two," Mrs. Gable said, handing over the house receiver with a look of profound respect.
Claire wiped her hands on her apron, her heart hammering against her ribs. She picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Mrs. Bennett," a crisp, professional voice spoke on the other end. "This is Arthur Vance—no relation to the former director," the voice added dryly. "Mr. Russo has requested your presence in his study at ten o'clock. Also, please bring Lily with you."
"Lily? Sir, is something wrong?" Claire asked, panic instantly flaring back up.
"Nothing is wrong, Mrs. Bennett. Just come up."
Ten minutes later, Claire stood outside the heavy oak doors of the master study, holding Lily’s small, warm hand. Lily’s finger was safely bandaged, and she wore a clean pink dress.
Claire knocked softly.
"Enter."
They stepped inside. Damian was sitting at his desk, but this time, standing beside him was a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and professional attire, holding a leather briefcase.
"Sit down, Claire. Lily," Damian nodded toward two armchairs placed before the desk.
Claire sat down hesitantly, keeping Lily close to her side.
"Claire," Damian began, folding his hands on the desk. "The internal audit of the regional office is complete. Marcus Vance has been terminated, arrested, and his assets are being seized. A portion of those seized assets, ordered by the court through my legal team, is being redirected to cover all legal fees, damages, and emotional distress caused to you."
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Claire’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. "All of it? But... the bank..."
"The bank has dissolved your husband's debt entirely under threat of immediate federal prosecution for predatory collusion," Damian said smoothly. "You are completely debt-free as of this morning."
