Chapter 13 - The Zurich Terminal
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The private aviation terminal at Zurich Kloten Airport was sleek, modern, and bathed in the harsh, clinical glare of overhead LED panels. The crisp European night air bit sharply against our skin as the Falcon 8X rolled to a smooth halt on the private tarmac, its engines winding down with a long, whistling sigh.
Marcus was the first down the mobile staircase, briefcase in hand, his trench coat billowing slightly in the brisk alpine wind. Clara and I followed closely behind, moving with the synchronized, unhurried grace of women who had absolute clarity of purpose.
Waiting for us at the base of the stairs was not a random ground crew, but a tall, impeccably dressed Swiss attorney—Master Hans Keller, senior partner at Keller & Associates, the legal firm retained by my father’s estate decades ago before Ethan’s hostile takeover dismantled our family’s legal defenses.
—Mrs. Cole, Master Keller said, stepping forward and offering a formal, precise bow of his head. —It has been a very long time. I received your encrypted dossier three hours ago. The preliminary injunctions have already been signed by the federal magistrate on emergency call.
—Thank you, Keller, I replied, shaking his gloved hand firmly. —Is Ethan through customs yet?
—His Gulfstream touched down thirty-five minutes ago, Keller answered, his expression grim. —He attempted to bypass standard international arrival protocols by utilizing a private corporate escort directly to the UBS Private Banking headquarters in the city center. However, because you executed the emergency shareholder freeze before our departure from the US, his corporate administrative credentials have already been revoked at the international banking gateway. He cannot access the numbered accounts. He is currently trapped in the VIP lobby of the bank, arguing with compliance officers who refuse to release a single franc.
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A cold, triumphant smile touched my lips.
—Then I suppose we shouldn't keep him waiting, I said, pulling my coat tighter around my shoulders. —Let’s go show him what real bankruptcy looks like.
