Chapter 10 - The Cracking Foundation
Within two hours, the video had gone viral globally, amassing millions of views across social media platforms.
The stock of Vance International plummeted fourteen percent before the noon trading bell. Corporate sponsors pulled their funding from the upcoming Grand Sovereign Charity Gala, and the Mayor's office issued a formal statement condemning the violence and ordering an immediate investigation by the Department of Labor.
Inside the executive boardroom of Vance Tower, Julian sat at the head of a long mahogany table. Around him sat twelve board members, their faces grave, their phones buzzing continuously with call requests from investors.
"We need to settle this immediately, Julian," the lead board member said, slamming his hand onto the table. "The union strike has shut down three of our primary hotel properties. The Federal Prosecutor's office just served us with a subpoena for our bio-data records!"
"It's a temporary media storm," Julian snapped, his knuckles white against his pen. "We control the legal narrative. My legal team will file an injunction—"
"Your wife slapped a child on camera, Julian!" another board member shouted. "There is no narrative to control! The public wants blood, and the labor department is auditing our wage structures!"
The door to the boardroom opened, and two uniformed federal agents stepped inside, followed by a state prosecutor carrying a leather folder.
"Julian Vance?" the prosecutor asked calmly.
May you like
Julian stood up slowly, his jaw set. "Yes."
"You are being served with a federal warrant for corporate fraud, evidence tampering, and unlawful surveillance," the prosecutor stated, handing the document across the table. "And your wife, Victoria Vance, is currently being taken into custody at your residence for felony child abuse and assault."
