Chapter 22 - The Geneva Standoff
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The success of the Vance Foundation had caught the attention of international organizations.
Sarah Lin, now the Global Director of Advocacy, accompanied Clara to Geneva for a high-level summit on international family law.
They were lobbying for a standardized protocol to protect the hidden assets of domestic abuse survivors fleeing across borders.
The opposition was steep.
During a closed-door session, a prominent European diplomat, Minister Dubois, pushed back against their proposal.
“Madame Vance, your initiative requires an unprecedented level of banking transparency that violates our national privacy laws,” Dubois argued, adjusting his tailored suit. “We cannot alter our financial privacy protocols simply to accommodate an American charity’s crusade.”
Clara sat across from him, her expression pleasant but unyielding.
“Minister Dubois, human lives are not a crusade,” Clara corrected gently. “They are a fundamental obligation.”
“An obligation my government cannot fulfill at the expense of our banking sector,” he dismissed.
Sarah Lin leaned forward to interject, but Clara placed a hand on her arm, stopping her.
Clara opened a sleek black folder on the table.
“As you know, Minister, Vance Technologies is currently finalizing plans to build a multi-billion-dollar clean energy manufacturing plant in Europe,” Clara stated, her tone conversational. “Your country was on the shortlist for the location. It would bring ten thousand jobs and a massive influx of taxable revenue to your district.”
Dubois sat up straighter, his eyes gleaming with sudden interest.
“We would be honored to host your facilities, Madame Vance.”
“However,” Clara continued, closing the folder with a sharp snap, “Vance Technologies has a strict internal policy. We do not invest capital in jurisdictions that fail to protect vulnerable populations. If your banking privacy laws are more important than the safety of fleeing survivors, I will instruct my development team to move the manufacturing plant to Germany.”
Dubois stared at her, the blood draining from his face.
“You are using a corporate manufacturing deal to leverage humanitarian law?” he asked, bewildered.
“I am using every tool at my disposal to ensure that cages cannot be rebuilt across international borders,” Clara replied coldly. “The choice is yours, Minister. Protect the hidden bank accounts of abusers, or accept ten thousand jobs for your citizens. I need your answer by tomorrow morning.”
Clara stood up and walked out of the conference room, Sarah Lin following closely behind.
“You are absolutely terrifying,” Sarah laughed as they walked down the marble hallway.
“He’ll sign the protocol,” Clara smiled.
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“How do you know?”
“Because men like Dubois only understand one language,” Clara said. “And I happen to speak it fluently.”
