Chapter 16 — The Finalized Terms

“Let’s review the finalized settlement terms, Mr.

Vance,” Attorney Vance said, her voice dropping into the cool, measured cadence that had, I was told, terrified corporate boardrooms across the state for twenty years.

“The forensic accounting audit of Vance Consulting has concluded.

The court-ordered clawback of corporate funds used for unauthorized personal expenses, specifically the lease payments on Ms.

Ruiz’s residential unit, has been satisfied through the forced liquidation of your secondary investment accounts.”

Luca didn’t look up.