Chapter 7 - The Fall of Vance
By sunrise the next morning, the state police and federal agents were crawling over the Vance corporate headquarters downtown.
The raid on the Alden estate had been the final nail in Richard Vance’s coffin. The captured mercenary had sung like a bird to federal prosecutors, implicating both Senator Vance and Victoria in a conspiracy involving extortion, armed assault, and international smuggling.
Victoria Vance was arrested outside her luxury high-rise apartment at eight in the morning, handcuffed in front of dozens of news cameras—the very cameras she had tried to use to ruin Marina’s family.
In the private study of the Alden estate, Corvin sat before Marina and Theo, his hands resting on his knees, his face pale with shame.
“I’m handing in my resignation from the logistics board, Marina,” Corvin said quietly. “I enabled Theo’s foolishness because I wanted the Vance deal so badly. I compromised the family’s security, and I lied to you. I don't expect you to forgive me.”
Marina looked at her brother-in-law. She saw genuine remorse in his eyes.
“You will step down from executive management,” Marina declared firmly. “You will oversee our regional rail fleet in Ohio for the next two years. If you prove your loyalty and keep your nose clean, we will discuss bringing you back to Chicago.”
Corvin nodded humbly. “Thank you, Marina. You’re a better leader than any of us.”
When Corvin left the study, only Theo and Marina remained.
Theo stood near the window, staring out at the rain slicking the garden path. He looked older, humbled, and completely stripped of his former vanity.
“The legal team confirmed that the Vance family is completely neutralized,” Theo said softly, keeping his back turned to her. “Our shipping lines are secure. The DeLuca trust is safe.”
“Good,” Marina said.
Theo turned around slowly. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a thick envelope, placing it on her desk.
“What is this?” Marina asked.
“It’s a complete transfer of all my personal voting shares in Alden Logistics to you and Eli,” Theo said, his voice breaking slightly. “I’m also stepping down as CEO. You were right, Marina. My arrogance nearly destroyed our lives. I don't deserve to run this company, and I don't deserve to walk back into your home.”
Marina looked down at the documents, then back at her husband. She saw no performance, no ego, and no calculated lies in his eyes—only the broken honesty of a man who realized what he had almost lost.
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“Where will you go?” Marina asked quietly.
“I’m moving to the lake house in Michigan,” Theo whispered. “I’ll work with the local ground crews there. I’ll spend every day earned trying to be a man Eli can be proud of again... even if it takes years.”
