Chapter 29 - Dealing With the Devil
To destroy Marcus Sterling and clear Khloe’s name, I needed the master list of Arthur Vance’s domestic payouts. Unfortunately, the only person who knew the location of that digital ledger was Arthur himself, currently rotting in a maximum-security federal penitentiary. Walking into that prison felt like descending into purgatory. When they brought Arthur into the visitation room, the bespoke Italian suits were long gone, replaced by an ill-fitting orange jumpsuit. But his predatory grin remained exactly the same.
"Well, if it isn't the woman who put me in this cage," Arthur sneered, picking up the heavy receiver on his side of the reinforced glass. "To what do I owe the pleasure? Come to gloat?" I didn't waste time on pleasantries. I slid a photograph of Marcus Sterling against the glass. "Marcus is using the remainder of your laundered Cayman funds to run for Senate," I told him coldly. "He’s cutting all ties to your shell corporations and leaving you out in the cold. In a month, he’ll have full immunity, and he’ll absorb every dime you have left hidden." Arthur’s eyes twitched. For a man obsessed with control and wealth, the idea of a subordinate stealing his empire was worse than a life sentence.
"I want the master ledger," I demanded. "Give me the access codes, and I will personally ensure the FBI seizes Marcus’s accounts before he can spend another dime of your money. It’s your only chance for revenge." Arthur sat in silence for a long time, his jaw working furiously. Finally, a bitter, malicious laugh escaped his lips. "The digital ledger is useless without the physical decryption key," Arthur whispered, his eyes gleaming with sick amusement. "And I didn't keep the key on me. I gave it to the one person the Feds would never suspect of being competent enough to hold it." My stomach plummeted as realization dawned. "Trevor," I breathed. Arthur smiled. "Good luck getting your pathetic ex-husband to hand over his only remaining bargaining chip."
