Chapter 12 - THE MIAMI PROPERTY RAID
Federal marshals raided the luxury Miami penthouse registered under Victoria’s maiden name late Monday afternoon.
The raid was broadcast live on local Florida news channels.
Reporters stood outside the sleek glass skyscraper as federal agents carted out boxes of luxury goods,
designer watches,
and bearer bonds.
The penthouse had been purchased entirely with funds siphoned from my architectural partnership account.
I watched the broadcast on the living room television with Arthur,
Chloe,
and Marcus.
“Look at all those stolen assets,
” Chloe pointed at the screen as federal agents loaded crates into a van.
“Every single designer bag bought with your hard work.
”
“It’s all being repossessed by federal receivership,
” Richard noted,
walking into the room with a stack of legal documents.
“Every asset purchased with embezzled funds will be liquidated at public auction.
”
“And the proceeds?” I asked.
“Returned directly to the primary victim of the financial fraud,
” Richard smiled warmly.
“Meaning you.
”
“Every single dollar plus statutory interest and legal fees.
”
I let out a long breath,
feeling a profound sense of closure wash over me.
The financial nightmare that had quietly bled my life for three years was finally being undone.
“What about the Miami condo itself?” Arthur asked.
“Put on the judicial auction block by Wednesday,
” Richard replied.
“Expected to fetch around two million dollars.
”
“Not a bad return on investment for an architectural firm that nearly went under,
” I remarked with a slight smile.
“It’s justice,
my dear,
” Arthur said,
raising his teacup.
“Pure,
unadulterated,
structural justice.
”
My phone buzzed again—this time an encrypted text message from an unknown number.
I opened it.
It was a message from Daniel.
*Please,
you have to help me,
they won't let me make bail,
Victoria lied about everything,
I'm begging you as my wife—*
I blocked the number instantly,
May you like
tossed the phone back onto the table,
and returned my attention to the news broadcast.
