CHAPTER 4 — The Empire Falls

Adrian answered the first call.

His CFO was screaming.

"The banks froze every corporate account!"

A second phone rang.

"Our investors are pulling out!"

Another.

"The SEC has executed emergency warrants!"

Another.

"The FBI is here!"

Another.

"The board just voted to suspend you."

Another.

"Your stock crashed thirty-eight percent in twelve minutes!"

Adrian stared at Richard in horror.

"You did this..."

Richard calmly corrected him.

"No."

"You did."

He handed Adrian a thick folder.

Inside were copies of every fake invoice.

Every offshore transfer.

Every shell company.

Every payment made to Vanessa.

Every forged signature.

Every tax fraud document.

Every illegal transfer.

Evelyn had collected them all.

For months.

Richard smiled faintly.

"My daughter didn't survive."

"She investigated."

Federal agents entered moments later.

One approached Adrian.

"Mr. Adrian Vale..."

"You're under arrest for financial fraud, conspiracy, aggravated assault, unlawful imprisonment, and attempted murder."

Vanessa tried to run.

She barely reached the hallway before another agent stopped her.

She turned toward Adrian.

"You said none of this could happen!"

Adrian stared back.

For the first time...

He realized the woman beside him loved only his money.

Now that it was gone...

So was she.

Both were escorted away in handcuffs.

As reporters flooded outside the estate, helicopters circled overhead.

By sunrise...

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BILLIONAIRE'S SON-IN-LAW ARRESTED AFTER SECRET TORTURE RECORDING EXPOSES CORPORATE CRIMES.