Chapter 9 - The Anatomy of a Heist
Clara’s hand trembled as she reached out, pulling the documents from the Manila envelope.
Her eyes scanned the medical affidavits, the bank transfer receipts linking Julian’s offshore accounts to a private psychiatric clinic in Zurich, and the forged death certificate dated three years prior.
Clara slowly looked up from the paper. Her face was pale, her dark eyes filled with absolute disgust. She looked at Julian—the man she was supposed to exchange vows with in less than ten minutes.
"You kept her mother locked away in a medical facility?" Clara asked, her voice shaking with quiet fury. "So you could take her stock voting rights?"
"Clara, listen to me!" Julian pleaded, stepping toward her with his hands raised. "She was unstable! She was a danger to Lily! I did it to protect our family! To protect the company!"
"You did it for yourself," Clara spat, her voice cutting through his excuses like a blade.
With a slow, deliberate motion, Clara reached up to her head, pulling off her diamond-encrusted tiara and the long white lace veil attached to it. She tossed the heavy jewelry onto the floor at Julian’s feet.
"The wedding is over," Clara said flatly. She turned to her father, a wealthy banking tycoon standing in the front row of guests. "Dad, cancel the merger. Pull every loan we extended to Vance Global by close of business today."
"Clara, no!" Julian screamed, stepping forward to grab her arm. "You can't do this! The contract—"
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Before Julian’s fingers could touch Clara’s arm, James seized him by the wrist, twisting his arm behind his back with a sharp, professional wrench that forced Julian down onto one knee.
"Touch her, and I'll break your arm in three places," James growled into Julian's ear.
