Chapter 11 - The Gathering Storm
By noon the following day, the financial world was in flames.
The Securities and Exchange Commission, armed with irrefutable evidence handed directly to them by Vincent Moretti, froze all trading on Vance Group stock. Warrants for corporate fraud, market manipulation, and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm were issued for Richard Vance.
News broadcasts played non-stop loops of the Vance corporate headquarters being raided by federal agents. Victoria Vance was photographed sobbing behind tinted windows as reporters swarmed her townhouse.
At the Moretti Estate, the atmosphere was triumphant. Leo’s pre-operation tests were finalized, and Dr. Harrison confirmed the surgery was set for the following morning at Chicago General’s elite private wing.
“I’m going to walk, Emma! I’m going to run in the park with you!” Leo cheered from his wheelchair, his face glowing with pure childhood joy.
“You sure are, little hero,” Emma laughed, kissing his forehead.
At three o'clock, Marcus arrived with a private security detail to transport Leo to the hospital for his overnight pre-op prep. Emma had to stop by the south-side clinic first to sign the official release papers for Leo’s medical history—a legal requirement that required her physical signature in person.
“I will send a full security team with you,” Vincent had insisted before leaving for his emergency press conference downtown.
“It’s just a five-minute signature at the local clinic, Mr. Moretti,” Emma had assured him with a warm smile. “Your driver Cole is more than enough. Go handle your press conference. We’ll celebrate tonight.”
Vincent had looked at her for a long moment, then nodded, touching her shoulder gently. “Be careful, Emma.”
An hour later, the black SUV pulled into the parking structure beneath the south-side community medical building. The concrete garage was dimly lit, damp, and practically deserted.
“Wait here, Miss Carter,” Cole, the burly security driver, said as he scanned the empty rows of cars. “I’ll escort you to the elevator.”
Emma unbuckled her seatbelt and stepped out into the chilly concrete bay, clutching the folder containing Leo’s files.
Suddenly, the screech of burning rubber echoed violently through the garage.
A heavy gray cargo van with blackened windows rounded the corner at blinding speed, smashing directly into the front bumper of the Moretti SUV with an ear-splitting crash of twisting metal!
The impact threw Cole violently against the concrete pillar, knocking him unconscious as glass shattered across the floor.
“Cole!” Emma screamed, rushing forward.
Before she could reach him, the side door of the gray van slid open with a violent clatter.
Three men wearing ballistic vests and black ski masks leaped out. Emma turned to run, her heart leaping into her throat, but a heavy gloved hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her scream, while an iron grip seized both of her arms, twisting them behind her back.
“Got her! Move, move, move!” a gruff voice barked.
Emma thrashed wildly, kicking with all her might, managing to pull her hand free for half a second. Her smartphone slipped from her fingers, clattering violently against the oil-stained concrete.
As she was dragged kicking into the dark belly of the van, the phone’s screen lit up on the pavement, vibrating against the cold stone.
The caller ID flashed brightly in the shadows:
May you like
**VINCENT MORETTI**
The heavy van doors slammed shut, the engine roared with savage fury, and the vehicle peeled out into the rainy streets of Chicago, leaving behind only the shattered glass and the unanswered, ringing phone.
