Julian stumbled back a step, holding his left cheek as his face flushed bright red with embarrassment.
Julian: You crazy bitch! You just hit me in front of the entire board of directors!
Clara: I told you never to touch me again.
Julian: Security! Get over here right now!
Two large men in dark suits immediately moved through the crowd, heading straight toward our table.
Security Guard: Is there a problem here, Mr. Vance?
Julian: This woman just assaulted me! Grab her and throw her out of the building!
Clara: Don't come any closer.
Julian lunged forward, grabbing my arm tightly to drag me toward the guards himself. I didn't scream or pull back. I pivoted hard on my left foot, spinning around and launching a direct kick straight into his torso. The heavy force knocked his feet out from under him, sending him crashing backward onto the marble floor with a loud thud.
The crowd gasped in unison. Glasses clinked on silver trays as guests backed away in shock.
Julian groaned on the floor, clutching his stomach as he gasped for air under the bright chandelier light.
I reached up calmly, fixing a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and adjusted the strap of my black dress. I looked down at him on the cold marble with complete indifference.
Julian: You're... you're going to prison for this, Clara!
Clara: You really haven't learned anything, have you?
I stepped right over his legs, my dark heels clicking firmly against the stone floor as I walked past the frozen security guards. I pulled my phone out of my purse again and dialed Marcus.
Clara: Release the audit files to the federal prosecutor now.
Marcus: It's done. The police are already on their way to the front entrance of the hotel.
Never mistake a survivor for a victim.
I walked straight through the grand foyer toward the main exit doors, keeping my head held high as every wealthy guest in the room turned to watch me leave. They thought I was just Julian's ruined ex-fiancée. They had no idea that the entire building they were standing in was registered under my company's name.
Julian struggled to pull himself up against a velvet armchair, his face pale as his personal lawyer, David, rushed over to his side.
Julian: David! Call the police chief right now! Tell him Clara Sterling just attacked me!
David: Julian... stop shouting. Look at the entrance doors.
Julian turned his head toward the glass doors of the lobby. Three federal agents in dark coats were walking briskly through the crowd, heading straight toward him.
Julian: What is this? David, what are they doing here?!
David: They didn't come here because of the slap, Julian. They came because of the tax fraud investigation.
Julian: What tax fraud?! My offshore accounts are completely hidden!
David: They were hidden until thirty minutes ago. Someone uploaded your entire internal ledger to the IRS portal from an administrative account.
Julian's eyes opened wide as he remembered the phone call Clara was making right before he approached her.
Julian: No... no, that's impossible! She didn't have access to the main server!
David: She didn't need access, Julian. She owned the server company. Her father built it fifteen years ago.