Chapter 13 - The Trap
Clara announced publicly that Halcyon would undergo restructuring.
The press assumed it was business news.
Vivienne and Bell would understand something else.
A deadline.
Marianne drafted a deliberately visible court filing stating that certain sealed Greyhaven assets would be transferred within ten days.
The location of the original documents was listed only as:
VAULT C-9, AURELIA ARCHIVE FACILITY.
Vault C-9 did not exist.
But the Aurelia archive did.
Elias wasn't pleased.
“You are turning yourself into bait.”
“No. I'm turning information into bait.”
“They may come after you.”
“They already did.”
Elias stared at her.
Clara softened.
“I'll follow every security rule.”
“Every?”
“Most.”
“Clara.”
“Every.”
Three nights later, someone entered the Aurelia archive.
Security recorded Thomas Bell using an old contractor credential.
He wasn't alone.
Vivienne walked beside him.
They reached C-9.
Opened the false vault.
And found Rachel Moore waiting inside with federal agents.
Bell surrendered immediately.
Vivienne ran.
She made it less than forty feet.
When Rachel caught her near the loading entrance, Vivienne turned with a face full of fury.
“Do you know who I am?”
Rachel almost smiled.
“Yes.”
That was precisely the problem.
Vivienne was arrested.
By sunrise, every major financial paper carried the story.
But Clara felt no triumph.
Because Bell made a deal before lunch.
And what he said changed everything.
Jonathan Sterling wasn't hiding.
May you like
He had been directing the entire operation.
And according to Bell, he had the original Greyhaven Ledger.
