Chapter 7 - The Trap Cleared
Julian opened a wooden desk drawer and pulled out a thick document bound in blue leather.
"This is an administrative non-disclosure agreement and non-interference agreement," Julian said, sliding the document across the desk toward her along with a gold fountain pen. "You will sign this, Maya. You will state that your findings at Whitmore Global were inconclusive and that the merger suspension was a temporary technical error."
Maya stared at the pen. "And if I refuse?"
"If you refuse, I will release a detailed media report detailing how Marcus Reed's daughter engaged in illegal corporate espionage, wiretapping, and data theft inside an acquisition target," Julian threatened, his tone turning dark and menacing. "The SEC will launch a two-year investigation into Reed-Vance Capital. Stock prices across our eighteen portfolio companies will plummet. You will destroy your father's life's work in a single morning."
Maya looked from the document up to Julian’s confident, arrogant face.
Suddenly, a small, genuine smile touched her lips.
Julian’s brow furrowed. "What's funny?"
"You really thought I spent eleven weeks in a dusty warehouse file room just to catch a small-time crook like Arthur Whitmore?" Maya asked gently.
Julian’s smile faltered. "What are you talking about?"
"My father didn't send me to London, Julian," Maya said, reaching into her coat pocket and pulling out her matte-black titanium smartphone. "And he isn't in London right now."
She tapped the screen twice.
The heavy mahogany double doors at the back of the office swung open.
Walking through the entrance was Marcus Reed—a tall, imposing man in his late fifties with steel-gray hair and an aura of absolute, crushing authority. Behind him stood four federal agents from the Securities and Exchange Commission and two armed U.S. Marshals.
Julian stood up so fast his leather chair knocked back against the floor.
May you like
"Marcus..." Julian gasped, his face draining of every drop of color. "What... what are you doing here?"
"I was in the adjacent conference room listening to every word of your confession, Julian," Marcus Reed said, his deep voice echoing through the massive office like thunder. "My daughter didn't go undercover to investigate Whitmore Global. She went undercover to catch you."
