He placed a heavy, protective hand on my back.

“The gala is over,” he announced. “Vanguard Horizon is under emergency forensic lockdown. No one leaves until the asset freeze is complete.”

Dominic let out a nervous, high-pitched chuckle. “Mr. Sterling, there must be some misunderstanding. I oversee all logistics and procurement. Our books are pristine.”

Marcus Thorn, Sterling Capital’s terrifyingly sharp senior counsel, stepped forward and opened a thick leather folio. Behind the dais, the projector screens that had been displaying Dominic’s promotional photos flickered.

“There’s no misunderstanding, Mr. Vance,” Marcus said, his voice cutting through the tension. “For three years you’ve been embezzling corporate funds through phantom vendors.

You’ve hidden marital assets in offshore shell companies.”