Chapter 8 - The Tribunal
The next morning, the financial world woke up to a nuclear bomb.
Liana and Dominic hadn't gone to the police; Vivienne owned the police chief. Instead, they went to the Federal Financial Regulatory Commission and simultaneously leaked copies of the ledger to every major news syndicate in the world.
By 9:00 AM, the Sterling Tower was surrounded by federal agents, news vans, and protestors.
Liana stood in the boardroom of Dominic’s corporate headquarters, watching the news on a massive flat screen.
“...breaking news this morning as Duchess Vivienne Sterling and her grandson, Julian Vane, have been indicted on seventy-four counts of fraud, embezzlement, and conspiracy to commit murder,” the anchor reported over footage of FBI agents carrying boxes out of the Sterling Tower.
Dominic walked up behind her, handing her a cup of coffee. He looked exhausted but triumphant.
"Vivienne’s lawyers tried to spin it, claiming the ledger was a forgery," Dominic said. "But the bank transfer codes matched perfectly. Her assets are frozen. The board of directors just held an emergency vote to strip her of her title."
"And Julian?" Liana asked, her voice steady.
"Julian turned state's evidence," Dominic scoffed. "He sold his grandmother out to avoid a life sentence. He’s taking a plea deal for twenty years in federal prison. They’re both finished."
May you like
Liana took a deep breath. The crushing weight that had sat on her chest her entire life finally lifted. She wasn't just a poor girl surviving in the alleys anymore. She was free.
"So," Dominic murmured, turning her gently to face him. "What is the new Duchess of the Sterling Empire going to do now?"
