Chapter 7 - The Detective's Inquiry
Detective Marcus Vance strode into the opulent marble foyer, his sharp eyes scanning every detail of the pristine estate. Victoria stood at the base of the grand staircase, her posture rigid, her smile tight and rehearsed. Richard Sterling, a weary-looking man with silver-streaked hair and haunted eyes, emerged slowly from his private study at the end of the second-floor landing.
"Detective Vance? To what do we owe this unexpected intrusion?" Richard asked, his voice flat as he descended the stairs.
"Mr. Sterling, good to see you upright," Marcus said, flashing a badge that gleamed under the crystal chandelier. "We've been tracking a series of unauthorized liquidations from your corporate accounts—over forty million dollars funneled into shell companies controlled by a Panamanian entity named 'Vance Holdings.' Last time I checked, your wife's maiden name is Vance."
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Victoria stepped forward smoothly, her voice dripping with artificial offense. "Detective, are you seriously implying that my family or I would embezzle from my own husband's enterprise? Richard is the sole signatory on those accounts."
Richard paused, looking between Victoria and the detective with a flicker of doubt in his eyes. He had signed numerous documents lately under heavy pressure from Victoria while recovering from his medical treatments. "Show me the transfer logs, Detective," Richard demanded quietly, stepping closer.
