Chapter 6 - The Public Reckoning
Harrison Vance stepped forward, unzipping a leather portfolio and handing a certified court injunction directly to Declan.
"Declan Whitfield, as of five p.m. today, Cook County Chancery Court has placed Whitfield Capital into emergency receivership," Harrison announced loud enough for every major investor in the room to hear. "Due to fraudulent diversion of client capital into Asteria Holdings for the benefit of Petra Voss, all trading activities are frozen. The board of directors has been stripped of executive authority."
A collective gasp swept through the room. Several high-net-worth investors immediately pulled out their phones, frantically calling their asset managers.
"This is a witch hunt!" Petra screamed, stepping toward Celeste with wild eyes. "You vindictive bitch! You planned this because you couldn't keep your husband! You're destroying a billion-dollar company over a broken marriage!"
Celeste looked at Petra with pure, unadulterated pity. "I didn't destroy this company, Petra. Declan destroyed it the moment he thought ethics were optional. And as for my husband—you're welcome to keep him. But you won't be keeping the penthouse. The eviction notice for the Gold Coast apartment was served to your doorman twenty minutes ago. It belongs to the receivership now."
Petra turned to Declan, her voice shrill with hysteria. "Declan! Tell them! Do something!"
Declan stood frozen, looking like a drowned man watching the ship sink beneath his feet. "Celeste... please. Not here. Think about our child. Think about our family's reputation."
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"I am thinking about my child," Celeste said, placing a protective hand over her stomach. "I am making sure she grows up knowing that her mother was never anyone's doormat. And that her father's empire was nothing more than a house of cards built on lies."
She turned on her heel, her velvet gown trailing behind her as she walked toward the exit. The regulatory officers stepped up to Declan, presenting him with a formal subpoena. Behind her, the gala dissolved into utter chaos, guests fleeing the room as journalists and financial reporters began swarming the entrance.
