Chapter 7 - The Heir’s Dilemma
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While Conrad and Damian sat in federal custody awaiting indictment, the rest of the Voss family tree was experiencing a collective seismic shock.
By Monday morning, financial news networks were broadcasting live helicopter footage of federal agents hauling boxes of evidence out of Voss Maritime Logistics headquarters. Stock prices for the conglomerate had plummeted by seventy-four percent before trading was abruptly halted by the SEC.
I was sitting in a quiet corner booth of an upscale bistro downtown, sipping black coffee, when Julian walked in. He looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes, his wedding ring glinting under the morning sun. He slid into the booth across from me, pulling off his trench coat.
"I saw the news," Julian said softly, rubbing his temples. "Half my phone contacts have blocked me since yesterday. People I thought were lifelong friends are treating me like I'm radioactive just because I share a last name."
"That’s the nature of high society, Julian," I said, setting my coffee cup down. "They don't care about people. They care about proximity to power. Now that the power is gone, they’re scattering."
"Are you okay?" Julian asked, looking up to meet my eyes. "I know... I know what Grandfather did to you. But seeing him taken away in handcuffs... it’s surreal. My whole life, he felt invincible."
"Invincible men usually fall the hardest because they refuse to build flexible foundations," I replied. "What about you, Julian? How does this affect your position at the firm?"
Julian let out a bitter, humorless laugh. "What firm? The board dissolved yesterday afternoon. Federal receivers have taken over all assets pending asset forfeiture hearings. I'm technically unemployed—though, honestly, I hated working under Grandfather anyway. I wanted to teach architecture, remember?"
"I remember," I smiled faintly. "And you have my full support if that's what you want to pursue."
Julian leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Aunt Elise... people are saying you orchestrated the whole thing. That you used your military position to settle a personal family score."
I didn't blink. I met his gaze with absolute, unyielding calm.
"Conrad didn't get arrested because of a personal family score, Julian," I said firmly. "He got arrested because he sold military secrets to foreign adversaries. My personal history with him simply gave me the clearance to look where the rest of the federal bureaucracy was too blind or too lazy to look. Treason is treason. Badge or no badge, family or no family, I swore an oath to protect this country. And I don't break that oath for anyone."
May you like
Julian nodded slowly, a look of profound relief washing over his features. "I know. Maya told me the same thing. I'm just... I'm glad you're safe. And I'm glad you came to the wedding."
"So am I, Julian," I said, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. "So am I."
