Chapter 14 - The High-Stakes Gambit
Taking the podium in front of hundreds of flashing cameras, Claire stepped into the spotlight, wearing a tailored emerald dress. The room went silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Claire began, her voice echoing clearly through the grand atrium. "You may have noticed market fluctuations engineered by individuals desperate to undermine our progress. I am pleased to announce that federal regulators have just dismissed all spurious claims against Apex Global."
The main screens behind her flashed live updates: SEC CLEARS APEX GLOBAL; WARRANTS ISSUED FOR CARTER VANCE FOR MARKET MANIPULATION.
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The crowd erupted into applause as Apex stock surged by 14% in real-time.
From the balcony above, Carter Vance watched his entire scheme collapse in seconds. He locked eyes with Claire, seeing not the timid assistant he once dismissed, but an unstoppable force. Beside her, Marcus signaled security officers, who swiftly moved up the stairs to take Carter into custody.
