Chapter 56
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The threat hung heavily in the grand reception hall, but Noah did not flinch. He had stared down men with far more power than a regional director in a tailored suit.
"You are welcome to try, Mr. Vance," Noah replied smoothly, crossing his arms over his chest. "But you should know that the Whitmore Foundation operates under a strict, sovereign mandate recognized by the state. A federal warrant requires probable cause, not just a disabled piece of telemetry from a private organization. Furthermore, if a child were to seek asylum on these grounds, it is our legal protocol to involve child protective services and independent medical evaluators before releasing them to anyone."
Sarah stepped forward, holding a sleek leather folder.
"As Mr. Whitmore's chief counsel," Sarah stated with razor-sharp precision, "I advise you to leave the premises immediately. If you attempt to circumvent our security or weaponize law enforcement without concrete evidence, I will personally file an injunction against Apex Horizons for harassment and trespassing. We have the best litigators in the country on retainer. Do not test us."
Vance looked between Noah and Sarah, realizing that his usual tactics of intimidation were completely useless against the Whitmore legacy. This was not a small, frightened orphanage he could bully into submission.
"You are making a catastrophic mistake," Vance hissed, dropping the polite pretense entirely. "Apex Horizons does not lose its investments. Elias Thorne will not allow you to harbor stolen property. You think your wealth makes you untouchable? We operate on a global scale. We will crush your foundation."
"Many people have threatened to crush this foundation," Noah said, his voice dropping into a lethal, quiet register. "Every single one of them is currently serving a life sentence in a federal penitentiary. The door is behind you, Mr. Vance. Marcus will escort you out."
Marcus took a deliberate, heavy step toward Vance, his hand resting casually near his radio.
May you like
Vance sneered, adjusting his expensive coat. He turned on his heel and marched toward the heavy oak doors. "We will be back, Whitmore. With an army if we have to."
"Let them come," Noah whispered to himself as the doors slammed shut. The battle lines had officially been drawn.
