Chapter 7 - The Downfall of a Billionaire
At 6:00 a.m. the following morning, three black federal SUVs pulled up to the front entrance of the Vance-Global Shipping headquarters in downtown Miami.
Julian Vance was stepping out of his luxury limousine, carrying a leather briefcase, on his way to an emergency meeting with his board of directors to attempt to seize the port contract.
Instead, he was met by twelve federal agents led by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.
“Julian Vance?” the US Attorney announced, unfolding a federal warrant. “You are under arrest for attempted murder, conspiracy to commit domestic terrorism, witness tampering, and racketeering.”
Vance’s face turned gray. His expensive briefcase slipped from his hand, clattering against the marble sidewalk.
“This is a mistake!” Vance shouted as two agents pulled his arms behind his back and snapped handcuffs onto his wrists. “I am Julian Vance! I own half this city! You can't touch me!”
“We have Viktor Kross in custody, Mr. Vance,” the US Attorney replied coldly. “We have your wire transfer logs from Cayman accounts, and we have your voice recordings ordering the death of an eight-year-old boy and a seven-year-old child.”
Reporters from every major news network in Florida flooded the sidewalk, flashbulbs exploding like blinding thunder as the arrogant billionaire was shoved into the back seat of a police cruiser.
By noon, the federal government permanently revoked Vance-Global Shipping’s operating license, freezing all of Julian Vance’s corporate and personal assets.
The three-hundred-million-dollar East Coast Maritime Lease was officially re-confirmed and awarded to Sterling Atlantic Logistics with full bipartisan support from the state governor.
At a grand press conference outside the federal courthouse, Richard Sterling stood before dozens of news cameras.
Beside him sat Marina, Peter, and little Luna, who was wearing a beautiful yellow dress and polished leather shoes.
“Yesterday, powerful men tried to use violence and money to destroy truth,” Richard spoke into the microphones. “They thought they were invisible. But their empire of corruption was brought down by the courage of a seven-year-old girl who had nothing—except the brave heart of a true hero.”
Richard brought Luna up to the podium.
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The reporters applauded loudly, flashbulbs illuminating the room. Luna looked nervous at first, but when Richard took her hand and Peter grinned at her from the front row, she stood tall and smiled into the cameras.
“This is Luna Sterling,” Richard declared proudly to the nation. “My daughter.”
