Chapter 6 - The Web Tightens
Over the next seventy-two hours, Marcus Vance reacted like an animal caught in a snare.
He initiated a series of aggressive smear articles through tabloids he discreetly funded, questioning Julian’s mental fitness and alleging financial mismanagement at Apex Capital. But Julian’s communications team, prepped days in advance, neutralized every story with transparent financial releases and independent third-party audits.
Behind the scenes, Vance's desperation escalated.
At midnight on Thursday, Carter intercepted two private investigators hired by Vance who were attempting to breach the security perimeter of Elena’s downtown studio. They carried recording devices and fabricated contracts designed to plant fraudulent evidence of intellectual property theft.
Julian met Carter in the holding area of their private security firm. The two investigators sat handcuffed to metal chairs, pale and sweating.
"Who authorized the entry?" Julian asked, his voice chillingly polite.
"We don't know names, man," one of the men stammered. "Cash drops. Burner phones. We were just told to plant the drive."
Julian leaned down, resting his palms on the metal table between them. "I don't care about your names. I care about your freedom. You have two options. In ten minutes, the police arrive and charge you with corporate espionage, felony burglary, and conspiracy. Or, you surrender the encrypted communications on your phones, provide sworn depositions detailing who paid you, and walk out into federal witness protection."
The younger investigator didn't hesitate. "The contact was Vance’s chief of staff, Arthur Pendelton. We have text messages with coordinates and payment confirmations."
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Julian straightened, turning to Carter. "Send copies to the US Attorney's office. Keep the originals in the safe."
He walked out into the cool night air, checking his watch. The gala was twenty-four hours away. Every thread Vance pulled to save himself was merely tightening the knot around his own neck.
