Chapter 5 - The Manila Envelope
I reached into my designer clutch and pulled out the thick manila envelope. I tossed it onto the altar, right on top of the officiant’s Bible.
“What is this?” Julian asked, staring at the envelope like it was a live grenade.
“That is a comprehensive audit of Sterling Tech’s corporate accounts,” I said loud enough for the first five rows of venture capitalists and board members to hear. “It details exactly how Elena routed two point four million dollars from my inherited trust fund into your startup, using forged signatures.”
Elena let out a piercing shriek. “She’s lying! She’s a jealous, crazy ex-wife!”
“Am I?” I asked.
Right on cue, the heavy wooden doors of the country club swung open. Four uniformed police officers and two men in FBI windbreakers stepped out onto the patio.
“Elena Rostova,” the lead federal agent barked, walking briskly down the aisle. “You are under arrest for wire fraud, grand larceny, and corporate embezzlement.”
Julian staggered backward, ripping his hand away from Elena’s. “Elena… what did you do? Tell me she’s lying!”
Elena was sobbing hysterically, backing away from the officers. “Julian, I did it for us! We needed the capital! You said you needed the money to launch the app!”
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Julian looked like he was going to vomit. The realization hit him like a freight train. He hadn't just married a thief; his entire billion-dollar tech startup was built on stolen, federally tracked funds.
The officers reached the altar. They didn't care about the fifty-thousand-dollar dress. They grabbed Elena by the arms, turned her around, and clicked cold steel handcuffs over her wrists.
