Chapter 4: The House of Cards
Chapter 4: The House of Cards
Back in Dallas, Adrian's world was collapsing faster than he could comprehend. He was out on a temporary, heavily monitored bail—a bail only granted because my father’s legal team allowed it, wanting Adrian to witness his empire burn from the outside.
Adrian stood in the lobby of the corporate skyscraper that bore his name, flanked by his one remaining, vastly underpaid lawyer. The security guards, men who used to bow their heads when he walked past, now blocked his path to the executive elevators.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Vale," the head of security said, his face entirely impassive. "Your clearance has been revoked by the acting board. You are required to vacate the premises immediately, or we will have you escorted out by law enforcement."
Adrian's face flushed a deep, humiliated crimson. "I built this company! You work for me!" he screamed, drawing the stares of dozens of employees in the lobby.
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It was a pathetic display. He tried to call his investors, his golf buddies, the politicians he had bribed over the years. Every single call went straight to voicemail. Word had spread rapidly through the elite circles: Adrian Vale was radioactive. Anyone caught throwing him a lifeline would be pulled down into the federal abyss with him.
Meanwhile, Vanessa’s situation was equally grim. The federal prosecutors played her the audio recording of the whipping—the crisp, undeniable sound of her sipping champagne and commanding Adrian to strike me. Any defense she planned to mount about being an innocent bystander or a victim of Adrian's manipulation evaporated the moment her own malicious voice echoed through the interrogation room.
