Chapter 2 — The Empire Under Siege
Chapter 2 — The Empire Under Siege
The sound of helicopter blades grew louder with every passing second.
Nathan frowned.
"What the hell is that?"
Before anyone answered, every light inside Blackthorn Manor flickered.
Then the security monitors mounted throughout the hall came alive.
Instead of camera feeds, a single message appeared on every screen.
ASHFORD GLOBAL ASSETS FROZEN.
Nathan's face turned pale.
"No..."
His phone exploded with notifications.
One after another.
Bank accounts suspended.
Corporate transactions halted.
Emergency board meeting initiated.
Federal warrants approved.
He stared at the screen as though reality itself had betrayed him.
"What did you do?"
I slowly stood despite the agony burning across my back.
"I didn't do anything."
"My father did."
The front doors burst open.
Not police.
Not reporters.
Men and women in dark tailored suits entered first.
Each wore the discreet silver crest of the Hawthorne Group.
Behind them came federal investigators carrying sealed evidence cases.
Nathan laughed nervously.
"This is ridiculous."
"I'm Nathan Ashford."
"You can't just walk into my house."
An older investigator calmly held up a warrant.
"We're not here because you're Nathan Ashford."
"We're here because you're the primary subject of an international financial crime investigation."
Celeste quietly stepped backward.
One of the investigators immediately blocked her path.
"Ms. Monroe."
May you like
"We'll need your phone."
Her smile disappeared.
