Part 9
The federal courthouse in downtown Chicago was bustling with activity the next morning.
Reporters gathered near the entrance,
confused by the sudden counter-filing from Ethan Whitmore.
Julian Vance arrived with his legal team,
looking completely relaxed and confident as usual.
He expected another day of easily dominating the legal field with his wealth.
But his smile vanished when he saw Detective Mitchell standing beside Richard Cole.
They walked into the judge's private chambers,
away from the cameras.
Judge Evelyn Vance,
who was no relation to Julian,
presided over the emergency hearing.
She looked at the offshore documents presented by Richard with extreme scrutiny.
"Mr. Cole,
these are very serious allegations,"
Judge Vance stated,
adjusting her glasses.
"You are claiming Vance Holdings is in possession of stolen corporate funds?"
"Yes,
Your Honor,"
Richard replied confidently,
stepping forward with a stack of records.
"We have tracing numbers proving these funds were taken from the Whitmore legacy estate."
"Margaret Whitmore systematically embezzled this capital over a five-year period."
"As the sole legal heir,
my client,
Ethan Whitmore,
never authorized this trust."
"Therefore,
the transfer to Julian Vance is an illegal diversion of stolen property."
Julian's lead attorney stood up quickly,
trying to salvage their position.
"Your Honor,
this is a desperate attempt to deflect from the charity fraud investigation,"
he argued.
"My client received these funds through a legitimate legal contract with Margaret Whitmore."
"A contract signed by a convicted felon involving stolen corporate assets is never legitimate,"
Richard countered sharply.
Detective Mitchell stepped forward,
placing a recorded audio disc on the table.
"Furthermore,
Your Honor,
the state submits evidence of explicit coercion,"
Laura announced.
"We have a recorded phone call and eyewitness testimony of Mr. Vance threatening the plaintiffs."
"He attempted to blackmail them into shutting down a lawful charitable organization."
Judge Vance looked at Julian,
her expression becoming exceptionally cold and severe.
Julian remained silent,
but his jaw clenched tightly,
his composure cracking for the first time.
The judge reviewed the banking stamps for another silent,
tense minute.
"The evidence presented by the plaintiff is overwhelming and deeply troubling,"
Judge Vance declared.
"I am issuing an immediate,
global freeze on all assets tied to Vance Holdings."
"Furthermore,
the injunction against the Lena Hope Initiative is hereby lifted completely."
"Mr. Vance,
you are ordered to surrender your passport to Detective Mitchell immediately."
"A full federal investigation into your operations will begin effectively today."
Ethan and Ava,
who were sitting in the back of the room,
held hands tightly.
They had won the first major battle,
stripping the fixer of his primary weapon.
Julian Vance turned around slowly,
looking at Ethan with a look of pure,
unadulterated hatred.
May you like
The smooth fixer was gone,
replaced by a dangerous man backed into a corner.
