Chapter 6 - The Fall of Vale Capital
By noon, the collapse of Vale Capital Holdings was total. Federal agents raided the company’s downtown headquarters, seizing servers, paper ledgers, and hard drives.
Nathan Vale was arrested in the lobby of his office building as television cameras captured his arrest live across state news networks. His assets were frozen, his corporate licenses revoked, and his creditors filed immediate petitions for involuntary bankruptcy.
At L’Étoile d’Or, construction crews were already hard at work. Moving trucks hauled away the dark velvet drapes, pretentious artwork, and cramped partitions.
Elena stood in the center of the main dining room with a tablet, directing an architect. "We tear out these dark walls and install floor-to-ceiling glass and light oak. This space should feel open and bright—not like an exclusive club designed to intimidate working people."
The former general manager, Mr. Harrington, approached her trembling, holding a clipboard. "Miss... Miss Moretti. I have brought the updated shift logs for your review."
Elena looked at him coolly. "Mr. Harrington, when Victoria Vale tore my dress, where were you standing?"
Harrington swallowed hard. "I... I was near the host stand, ma'am."
"And when she tried to force me to steal wine from the vault, what did you do?"
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"I... I didn't want to cause a scene with the owners..."
"You stood by and let a member of your staff be assaulted because you were afraid for your job," Elena said calmly. "Pack your desk. You are terminated immediately."
