Chapter 16
Two weeks later, the top-floor executive suite of Vance Global Enterprises was bathed in the crisp, golden light of an autumn afternoon. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows offered an unobstructed panoramic view of the city skyline.
Caroline stood before the glass, wearing a sharp, impeccably tailored charcoal-grey pantsuit. The discrete medical wrap around her neck was gone, replaced by a delicate silk scarf tied neatly around her collarbone, adding a touch of sophisticated elegance while still concealing the faint remnant of the ligature mark.
A soft knock sounded at the heavy mahogany door, and Elias stepped into the office. He no longer wore his field operative's dark grey suit; instead, he wore a clean navy blazer and an open-collared white shirt.
"The federal prosecutor just finalized the indictment packet," Elias said, walking over to lay a thick leather-bound folder on the polished oak desk. "Isabella’s trial date is set for next month. Her co-conspirators took plea deals and turned over every remaining piece of digital paper trail. She's looking at life without parole."
Caroline turned away from the window, her expression calm, vindicated, and entirely in control. She walked over to the desk and ran her fingers lightly over the leather folder. "Good. Let justice take its course. How are security arrangements for the corporate restructuring?"
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"Locked down," Elias replied, leaning slightly against the edge of the desk. "I've stepped in as the head of corporate security. No more corporate spies, no more back-alley hitmen. Anyone who tries to touch this company will have to get through me first."
Caroline looked up at him, a genuine, warm smile finally breaking through her stoic exterior. "And what about you, Elias? Once the dust settles, what happens to the man who pulled me out of the Pacific?"
