Chapter 6 - The Uninvited Guests
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The music cut off abruptly. The chatter among the two hundred wealthy guests died into an eerie, suffocating silence.
Ivan lowered his champagne glass, his eyes narrowing in fury. “What is the meaning of this? This is a private estate! Security, remove these men immediately!”
The head of security stepped forward, but one look at the county sheriff’s badge and the legal documents made him instantly step back, holding his hands up in surrender.
The process server stepped onto the raised wooden platform, stopping directly in front of Ivan’s table. Brenda gasped, pulling back in absolute horror as the photographer accidentally flashed a photo of the intrusion.
“Ivan Whitmore,” the process server announced loudly, his voice echoing across the silent pavilion. “You are officially served with an emergency federal injunction issued by the United States District Court.”
Ivan’s face went completely pale. “A... an injunction? For what? This is a mistake!”
“The injunction orders an immediate freeze on all operational assets, intellectual property, and liquid accounts associated with Whitmore Dynamics,” the process server stated calmly, handing a thick stack of legal papers directly into Ivan’s trembling hands.
Brenda’s father, Arthur Montgomery, slammed his hand onto his table and stood up. “This is outrageous! On what grounds? I am a primary investor in that firm!”
The process server turned his cold gaze toward Arthur. “On the grounds of massive corporate fraud, trade secret theft, and federal patent infringement filed by Aegis Tech and Whitmore Global Capital.”
The crowd gasped in collective shock. Whispers broke out among the venture capitalists like wildfire.
“Whitmore Global?” Ivan stammered, his mind spinning frantically. “I don't... I don't answer to Whitmore Global! My company is independent!”
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“Not anymore, Mr. Whitmore,” the process server replied coldly. “Furthermore, notice of immediate asset seizure has been executed on your personal accounts, your downtown penthouse, and the credit umbrella funding this event. Good evening.”
The process servers turned and walked out, leaving Ivan standing under the glittering chandeliers, holding the heavy court documents while two hundred of the most influential people in Silicon Valley stared at him in utter horror.
