Chapter 5 - The Downfall
Within forty-eight hours, the Vance Corporation was a hollow shell.
The forensic accountants uncovered a massive web of embezzlement and illegal campaign contributions.
Marcus’s bank accounts were completely frozen by a federal judge.
His assets, including the massive mansion where Ashton lived, were seized pending a full investigation.
The news cycle exploded with stories of the billionaire real estate tycoon's dramatic downfall.
I sat in my office at the courthouse, reviewing the criminal charges piling up against my ex-husband.
There was a knock on my heavy oak door.
My assistant peaked her head in, looking slightly nervous.
"Madam DA, Marcus Vance's defense attorney is here requesting an emergency meeting," she said.
"Send him in," I replied, folding my hands on my desk.
The lawyer walked in looking exhausted, carrying a thin leather briefcase.
He didn't have the arrogant swagger he usually displayed in court.
"Sarah, please," the lawyer began, dropping into the chair across from me.
"Mr. Vance is willing to make a deal."
"He will plead guilty to tax evasion if you drop the fraud charges and unfreeze his personal accounts."
I laughed, a sharp, genuine sound that echoed off the high ceiling.
"You are in no position to negotiate, counselor."
"Your client is facing thirty years in a federal penitentiary for the financial crimes alone."
"And let's not forget the bribery charges regarding the school."
The lawyer sighed, rubbing his temples.
"What do you want, Sarah?" he asked, completely defeated.
"I want him to plead guilty to every single charge, with zero leniency," I stated firmly.
"I want Ashton expelled from Crestview and placed in a mandatory juvenile rehabilitation program."
"And I want Marcus to publicly confess to bribing school officials."
The lawyer stared at me, knowing that accepting those terms meant absolute ruin for his client.
"He will never agree to that," the lawyer whispered.
"Then I will see you in court, and I will make sure he dies in a concrete cell," I promised.
May you like
The lawyer stood up slowly, nodding his head in quiet surrender.
He knew he had lost.
