Chapter 3 - The Frozen Accounts
Inside the executive suite of Rowan Meridian on the forty-fifth floor of downtown Austin’s Frost Bank Tower, pandemonium had reached a fever pitch. Evan paced across the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, his cell phone pressed tightly to his ear while his face turned an ugly shade of crimson.
“What do you mean the wire transfer was rejected?!” Evan screamed into the phone, his voice echoing off the minimalist concrete walls. “I am the CEO! Approve the twenty-million-dollar tranche for the Mueller district acquisition immediately!”
A timid voice crackled through the speaker: *“Mr. Rowan, I’m sorry, but the compliance block was placed directly by the primary trust administrator. Furthermore... all corporate accounts have been frozen pending majority shareholder authorization. We cannot disburse funds without Mrs. Rowan’s signature.”*
Evan slammed his phone down onto the sleek glass desk, shattering the screen. He turned around to find his mother, Margaret, standing by the doorway with her arms crossed, her face carved from absolute fury.
“Where is she, Evan?” Margaret demanded, her voice shaking with rage. “How could you be so careless? You let that woman walk out of our home with absolute control over our voting shares, and now our entire commercial pipeline is locked up!”
“I didn't know, Mother!” Evan yelled back, running his hands through his disheveled hair. “She never said a word! She acted like the dutiful, quiet wife for twelve years while all along she was setting a trap!”
The heavy oak office door burst open without a knock. Leah rushed in, her makeup slightly smeared, looking panicked as she held a tablet in her hand. “Evan, we have a massive problem. The landlord of the penthouse just served an eviction notice because this month’s rent didn't clear, and my corporate credit card has been declined at Nordstrom and Whole Foods!”
Evan stared at her, the reality of the situation crashing down on him like a tidal wave. For years, he had treated Leah as his pampered mistress and trusted confidante, funding her luxurious lifestyle with corporate slush funds disguised as marketing expenses. Now, without access to Rowan Meridian’s coffers, they were entirely broke.
“Your credit card?” Evan snapped, grabbing Leah by the shoulders. “Leah, look at me! Do you know what Claire left on the dining table? She left a medical report proving I am sterile! Those twins... whose children are they, Leah? Tell me the truth right now!”
Leah flinched, her eyes darting away from his furious gaze. She pulled back from his grip, crossing her arms defensively. “What does it matter, Evan? They’re babies! You loved them a hour ago!”
“They matter because my entire family fortune is tied to legitimate heirs of the Rowan bloodline!” Margaret shrieked, stepping forward and slapping Leah across the face with a resounding crack that echoed through the office.
Leah stumbled back against the glass partition, holding her stinging cheek, her eyes flashing with sudden, venomous hatred. “You arrogant old bitch,” Leah hissed, wiping away a tear of rage. “You think you’re so high and mighty with your Austin society galas? Your precious company was failing when I met Evan. He was one month away from bankruptcy before I brought in Apex Capital’s backing!”
Evan froze, staring at Leah as if seeing a monster for the first time. “Apex Capital? What are you talking about?”
Before Leah could answer, the office doors swung open wide. Two uniformed officers of the Austin Police Department walked in, flanked by a federal marshal holding a thick manila folder.
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“Evan Rowan?” the marshal asked coldly. “You are hereby served with a federal subpoena and an arrest warrant for corporate wire fraud, embezzlement, and securities manipulation. Put your hands behind your back.”
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