Chapter 6 - Retribution in the Snow
Two uniformed Swedish police officers and three plainclothes investigators entered the boardroom before Ethan could even collect his papers.
"Ethan Walker? Sophia Vance?" the lead investigator asked, flashing his badge. "You are being detained for questioning regarding international securities fraud, money laundering, and coordinated market manipulation under Interpol Red Notice jurisdiction."
"Do you know who my father is?!" Sophia screamed as an officer snapped steel handcuffs around her wrists. "Take your hands off me! I want the American Ambassador right now! Ethan, do something! You’re my lawyer!"
Ethan didn't do anything. He couldn't.
His legs had turned to water. As the second officer clicked handcuffs around his wrists, Ethan’s eyes found mine. Tears of pure, unadulterated terror streamed down his cheeks.
"Claire... please," he whimpered, his voice carrying the pathetic squeak of a cornered rodent. "Claire, listen to me! I was manipulated! Sophia threatened me! She said she’d ruin my career if I didn't do what she wanted! I love you, Claire! Think of Lily! Think of our daughter! You can't let them take her father away!"
I walked over to him, stopping mere inches from his trembling frame.
The assembly watched in dead silence.
"Lily doesn't have a father," I whispered, loud enough only for him and the arresting officers to hear. "Lily had a cowardly parasite who struck her mother in a restaurant to impress an heiress who viewed him as nothing more than an expendable errand boy."
"Claire, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry about the restaurant! I’ll kneel right now! I’ll kiss your shoes in front of everyone!" Ethan sobbed, his knees actually buckling as he tried to drop to the floor. The officers hauled him back up by his arms. "Please! Just tell your lawyers to drop the discovery! If the Feds open those trust accounts, I’m going to prison for twenty years!"
"Then you had better start practicing your defense, Ethan," I said coldly. "Because my family’s legal team is handing every single ledger over to the United States Department of Justice tonight."
I turned my back on him.
"Get them out of my sight."
As the officers dragged Ethan and Sophia down the grand hallway, Ethan’s hysterical screams echoed through the marble corridors until the heavy double doors clicked shut.
Dr. Lindqvist stepped beside me, offering a polite, admiring nod. "Director Quinn. It seems NordTech has only one viable partner remaining."
May you like
"We will finalize the contracts at six o'clock, Henrik," I replied smoothly, straightening my cuffs. "Quinn Global will acquire NordTech at our original valuation. Cash upfront. No shells. No lies."
***
