"The splash was louder than the orchestra.

The grand conference room of the Boston Financial Center was filled with international reporters, corporate lawyers, and European dignitaries. The acquisition of the Atlantic Shipping Line was the largest corporate deal of the year, valued at three billion dollars.

Camille stood in the back of the auditorium disguised in a dark trench coat and sunglasses. She held her breath, waiting for the clock to strike eleven.

At precisely 10:55 AM, right as Ethan took the stage beside the European consortium lead, Lord William Harrington, the heavy doors of the hall burst open.

Four officers from the Maritime Environmental Protection Agency marched in, led by Chief Inspector Vance—Victor's insider contact.

"Stop the proceedings!" the inspector shouted, his voice echoing through the microphone systems. "We have received urgent reports of illegal hazardous waste dumping on Vance Global Vessel 109! Under federal law, all acquisition contracts involving Vance Global are immediately frozen pending a criminal investigation!"

A collective gasp swept through the press corps. Cameras flashed rapidly as reporters began frantically typing on their laptops.

Lord Harrington turned to Ethan with a look of deep concern. "Mr. Vance, what is the meaning of this? Our agreement strictly prohibits environmental violations."

In the back of the room, Camille smiled triumphantly. She felt a surge of intoxicating joy. I did it, she thought. I destroyed you, Ethan.

Ethan didn't panic. He slowly stepped up to the podium, adjusted his tie, and smiled at the lead inspector.

"Inspector Davis," Ethan said calmly. "You claim Vessel 109 contains illegal hazardous waste dumped last night at Port Terminal 4?"

"That is correct, Mr. Vance," Davis said smugly, holding up a file. "We have the physical logging receipts right here."

"That's funny," Ethan said smoothly, tapping a button on his podium remote.

The massive LED screens behind him instantly switched from the corporate presentation to a crystal-clear video feed.

The screen played the night-vision footage from eight hours prior. It clearly showed Inspector Davis receiving an envelope of cash from Victor Vance, then sneaking onto Vessel 109 to hide the forged documents in the locker.

The room erupted into absolute chaos.

"Furthermore," Ethan’s voice boomed through the speakers, drowning out the uproar, "audio recordings captured Miss Camille Harcourt financing this operation using stolen luxury goods to bribe a public official."

Ethan pressed another button, and an audio file played across the sound system. Camille’s voice filled the room: "Pawn this. Frame him. Destroy him. I want to see him on the street..."

Camille’s blood ran cold. She backed toward the exit, her hands shaking, but two federal agents stepped into her path, blocking the doors.

"Miss Camille Harcourt," Federal Agent Miller said, presenting a badge. "You are under arrest for corporate espionage, bribery of a federal officer, and conspiracy to commit fraud."

As the handcuffs clicked around Camille’s delicate wrists, she looked up toward the stage in sheer horror.

Ethan stood under the bright lights, looking down at her with the exact same expression he had worn at the fountain—unbothered, untouchable, and completely victorious.