Chapter 4 - Elena’s Public Humiliation
Elena Vance sat at the center table of the Le Petit Jardin terrace, the most exclusive lunchtime hotspot in the financial district. She wore her signature white silk blouse and the newly gifted ruby pendant dangling conspicuously against her collarbone. Surrounding her were three of the city’s most influential socialites, hanging on her every word as she casually dismissed the rumors surrounding Julian’s company.
"Oh, darling, it’s just a textbook shakedown," Elena said, taking a delicate sip of her champagne. "You know how these domestic women get when they realize they’re losing their charm. Maya is simply having a midlife tantrum. Julian has the best legal team on the East Coast; she’ll be lucky to walk away with the suburban house and an old Volvo."
The socialites tittered, but their laughter died instantly as the patrons at the surrounding tables began to murmur, pulling out their smartphones and pointing toward the entrance of the garden terrace.
Elena turned her head, her annoyance turning into immediate shock as Maya stepped through the ivy-covered archway, accompanied by two uniformed federal marshals. Maya looked nothing like the exhausted suburban mother Elena had mocked in her voicemails; she looked like an executioner arriving on schedule.
"Elena Vance?" one of the marshals announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the quiet dining patio. "We have a federal subpoena for your financial records, personal communication devices, and your immediate deposition regarding wire fraud and municipal bribery in connection with Vance Development."
Elena jumped up, her designer chair scraping loudly against the stone tiles. "This is an outrage! Do you know who I am? My family has owned PR firms in this city for three generations! Get out of my face!"
"I wouldn't make a scene, Miss Vance," Maya said, stepping forward until she was inches from Elena's face. Her voice was low, smooth, and entirely devoid of heat. "The marshals are here for your electronics. I am here for my property."
Before Elena could react, Maya reached out and flicked the edge of the ruby pendant resting on Elena's chest. "Julian purchased this necklace using funds withdrawn from a joint investment account that was frozen by court order at eight o'clock yesterday evening. That makes this jewelry stolen property acquired through marital dissipation."
"You can't touch me!" Elena hissed, her face burning a violent crimson as camera flashes from nearby tables began to go off.
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"Actually, she can," Victoria Sterling said, stepping out from behind the marshals and handing Elena’s attorney a formal asset seizure notice. "Hand over the necklace, Miss Vance. Or the marshals can remove it for you as evidence in the grand jury indictment."
With trembling, manicured fingers and tears of pure rage ruining her designer mascara, Elena unclasped the ruby necklace and dropped it onto the table. Maya picked it up, dropped it into a velvet evidence pouch, and offered Elena a chilling, sweet smile. "Enjoy your lunch, Elena. I hear the prison cafeteria doesn't serve champagne."
