Chapter 19
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The next morning, Marcus picked up his private line and dialed Julian Vance’s direct office number. He knew that to get Julian out of the heavily fortified Thorne Industries headquarters before the FBI raided it, he had to offer him the one thing he couldn't resist: a total surrender.
"Julian," Marcus said, projecting a tone of weary defeat when the line connected.
"Marcus. To what do I owe the pleasure? Calling to complain about the audit?" Julian sounded incredibly arrogant, clearly believing his intimidation tactics with the black rose had worked.
"I am calling to end this," Marcus sighed heavily, rubbing his temples to make his voice sound strained. "You win, Julian. I cannot put my wife and daughter through another public circus. The stress is tearing my family apart."
There was a brief pause on the line as Julian absorbed the victory. "I told you, Marcus. You lost your edge. So, you are ready to sell your shares and step away permanently?"
"Yes. But I will not do it in the boardroom, and I will not do it with your lawyers present," Marcus demanded, playing the part of a humiliated founder perfectly. "I want to meet you privately. Just the two of us. I have the transfer documents drawn up. We sign them, I walk away, and you take the company."
"Where?" Julian asked eagerly.
"The old airfield hanger on the west side of the city. In one hour. No security, Julian. If I see a single guard, I tear up the papers and we take this to a public proxy war."
"Fine," Julian agreed instantly, blinded by his own ambition. "One hour, Marcus. Don't be late."
Marcus hung up the phone and looked across the study at Khloe, who was holding Maya.
"He took the bait," Marcus said, grabbing his coat.
"Be careful, Marcus," Khloe urged, kissing him deeply. "He is a desperate man."
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"He is about to be a caged one," Marcus promised.
He walked out to his waiting SUV. He wasn't bringing his transfer documents to the airfield. He was bringing Thomas Sterling and a heavily armed FBI tactical team. The trap was set, and the jaws were about to snap shut.
