Chapter 33 - The Shadow Identified
Elias did not hesitate. He opened his sleek, encrypted laptop, plugged a specialized drive into the boardroom's central console, and his fingers flew across the keyboard with breathtaking speed.
Claire watched him work. There was no grandstanding, no need to explain how brilliant he was. He simply executed the task with flawless precision.
"Got them,"
Elias announced quietly, exactly ninety seconds later.
The main screen shifted from chaotic code to a highly detailed satellite map, zooming in aggressively on a sprawling, heavily guarded estate in the south of France.
"Victor Moreau,"
Elias read the name tied to the IP registry.
Claire’s eyes narrowed into icy slits. Victor was a former logistical partner of Ethan's, a man who had made millions trafficking illegal arms through Vanguard's shell companies before Claire had burned the empire to the ground.
"He managed to hide his assets during the federal investigations,"
Claire stated, her voice devoid of any warmth.
"He assumes that because Ethan is in a cage, the Vanguard archives contain blackmail material he can use to rebuild his network."
"He assumes you are an easy target, Ms. Sterling,"
Elias noted, closing his laptop.
"That is a colossal miscalculation on his part,"
Claire replied softly, turning toward her chief of staff.
"David, initiate the hostile acquisition protocols for Moreau's primary holding companies. I want his entire portfolio severely compromised by the time he wakes up tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am,"
David nodded, rushing out of the room to execute the financial guillotine.
Claire turned back to Elias.
"You promised me a partnership with the Haven Foundation, Mr. Thorne. It appears you have already proven your worth."
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"I am entirely at your service, Claire,"
Elias said, using her first name not as a mark of disrespect, but as a genuine offering of equality.
