Chapter 9 - CHECKMATE
The board members gasped as they looked at the copies of the ledger. It meticulously detailed payments to offshore accounts, bribes to city officials, and—most damning of all—a $500,000 wire transfer to a known contract killer on the exact date of Thomas Bennett’s death.
"You have nothing," Richard sneered, though a bead of sweat broke out on his forehead. "This is a forgery."
"The FBI doesn't think so," Claire said, her voice clear and ringing. "We gave the original ledger to the District Attorney three hours ago. They are waiting in the lobby right now."
Through the glass walls of the boardroom, the flashing red and blue lights of federal vehicles illuminated the street below. Panic set in. Richard lunged for the door, but Adrian blocked his path.
Vanessa snapped. Humiliated, terrified, and cornered, she grabbed a heavy crystal water pitcher from the table and hurled it at Claire's head, screaming in sheer rage. She followed it up by charging at Claire, her manicured nails aiming for Claire's eyes.
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Claire didn't flinch. She sidestepped the shattering pitcher. As Vanessa barreled toward her, Claire stepped into the Fifth Gate. She caught Vanessa's wrist, turned her hips, and used Vanessa’s own violent momentum to guide her smoothly face-first into the boardroom table. Vanessa collapsed, sobbing in pain and defeat.
"It’s over," Claire said quietly, looking down at the woman who had kicked her just days ago. "You can't buy your way out of this room."
