Part 14
The digital clock on the wall blinked exactly 12:00 AM when the encrypted line connected.
The screen split into three separate feeds, each displaying a heavily darkened office from an unknown European location.
The man in the center spoke first, his voice distorted by a modulator, cold and clinical.
"Madam Vale," the voice echoed through the empty boardroom.
"We assumed you would be too busy mourning your marriage to address your corporate liabilities."
I leaned back in my father’s leather chair, crossing my legs slowly.
I didn't blink, nor did I let a single emotion alter my face.
"My marriage died years ago," I replied, my tone cutting through the digital static.
"What you are holding are illegal contracts signed by a fraudulent executive using forged documents."
"Under international maritime law, those agreements are null and void."
A low chuckle came from the speaker on the left.
"Law is a luxury for those who can enforce it, Ms. Vale," the second voice said.
"We control the customs officials in Antwerp. We control the dockworkers in Rotterdam."
"Without our signature, your cargo ships will rot in the harbor, costing you forty million dollars a week."
They thought they had me backed into a corner.
They thought a single mother newly thrust into power would panic at the sight of big numbers.
But they didn't know that I had spent the last forty-eight hours buying out their primary competitors.
I reached forward and tapped a key on my laptop, sending a massive data packet to their screens.
"As of three hours ago, Vale International acquired a majority stake in North Sea Logistics," I said calmly.
"The very company that owns the deep-water berths right next to your docks."
"If you block my ships, I will divert them to my own private ports."
"Furthermore, I will leak the full financial records of your shadow accounts to Europol."
The silence on the other end of the line was absolute.
The distorted breathing of the three men was the only sound filling the room.
"You are playing a dangerous game," the center voice growled, the confidence entirely gone.
"I don't play games," I said, leaning toward the camera.
"I run empires. You have until sunrise to return those shares to the Vale Trust."
"If you don't, I will spend every single dollar in our treasury to wipe your organization off the map."
May you like
I cut the feed before they could respond.
The monitors went black, leaving me alone in the quiet majesty of the top floor.
