Chapter 28 - Unmasking the Proxy
Four hours later, Karen sat across from Ambrose Calvano inside the high-ceilinged mahogany office of the Calvano syndicate headquarters down by the old shipping docks. On the massive walnut desk between them lay a thick dossier containing bank statements, wire transfer receipts, and corporate registries.
"Vanguard Global isn't an independent equity firm," Ambrose explained, sliding the dossier toward her. "It’s a front for a syndicate-backed consortium out of Zurich. Alistair Vance is just the charismatic frontman fronting dirty money for international asset strippers who specialize in seizing distressed luxury brands."
Karen scanned the financial documents, her sharp eyes instantly picking out a familiar signature on a Swiss bank transfer. "Viktor Radek’s old associates," she murmured. "Even after Radek went down, his remaining syndicate partners tried to salvage their capital by funneling it through Vanguard."
"Exactly," Ambrose nodded, lighting a vintage cigar. "Vance thought he could use international courts to steal your brand because he couldn't beat you on the streets. But he made one fatal mistake: he registered his primary asset-management subsidiary in a jurisdiction where our financial investigators have direct oversight through municipal maritime codes."
"So his entire legal strategy rests on a fraudulent corporate registration," Karen said, a cold, confident smile touching her lips.
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"It does," Ambrose grinned. "Which means the moment we submit these documents to the federal judge handling the injunctions, Vanguard’s lawsuit will collapse like a house of cards. But knowing Vance, he won't go down quietly. When corporate suits run out of legal options, they usually resort to desperate measures."
"Let him try," Karen replied, standing up and buttoning her blazer. "I’m ready for whatever he has left."
