Chapter 80 The Takedown Begins

Chapter 80 The Takedown Begins


The evidence filled three boxes. Sebastian and Harper stood in their lawyer's conference room, staring at months of Marcus's crimes laid out in chronological order.

"This is everything?" their attorney, Patricia Kim, asked.

"Everything." Sebastian handed her a flash drive. "Forged permits. Surveillance footage. Recorded conversations. Bank records showing he paid someone to breach Harper's medical files. Wire transfers to the person who tried to burn down the Adriatic."

Patricia whistled low. "This is federal. Fraud, conspiracy, attempted arson, corporate espionage. Marcus is looking at serious prison time."

"Good." Harper's voice was hard. "When do we move?"

"We need to coordinate with the DA's office and the SEC. But Harper, Sebastian,once we do this, there's no going back. Marcus will be arrested. Probably today."

Sebastian looked at Harper. "Any doubts?"

"None. He tried to burn down my hotel. He terrorized us for months. He threatened our baby." Her hand went to her stomach. "I want him stopped."

"Then let's end this," Sebastian said.

The coordinated takedown happened at two PM. FBI agents arrived at Marcus's downtown condo simultaneously with SEC investigators at his lawyer's office. Harper and Sebastian watched from Patricia's office via phone updates.

"They're executing search warrants now," Patricia said, checking her messages. "Marcus is in custody."

Harper felt Sebastian's hand tighten on hers. This was his uncle. His family. Despite everything Marcus had done, she knew this hurt.

"You okay?" she asked quietly.

"No. But I will be." He looked at her. "He made his choices. Now he faces the consequences."

Claire arrived twenty minutes later, her face pale. "The board's calling an emergency meeting. They want Sebastian to make a statement."

"What kind of statement?"

"Distance yourself from Marcus. Assure everyone Colton Industries wasn't involved in his criminal activities." Claire's voice was tight. "They're worried about the stock price."

"Of course they are." Sebastian stood. "Fine. Let's go."

Harper grabbed his arm. "You don't have to do this alone."

"Yes, I do. This is my company. My family's mess." He kissed her forehead. "Stay here. Rest. You've been on your feet all day."

"Sebastian…"

"Please. Let me handle this part."

She watched him leave with Claire, frustration and worry warring in her chest.

Patricia's assistant brought Harper tea and updates. The news was already breaking.
Marcus Colton Arrested on Federal Charges.Colton Industries Heir Facing Decades in Prison.

Her phone rang. Jessie.

"Are you watching this?" Jessie asked without preamble.

"Living it."

"How are you holding up?"

"Ask me when it's over." Harper sipped her tea. "How's the coverage? Are they blaming Sebastian?"

"Some outlets are trying. But most are reporting it straight.Marcus went rogue, Sebastian cooperated with authorities, classic corporate corruption story." Jessie paused. "Your name's coming up too. They're calling you the whistleblower who brought him down."

"I didn't,we just defend ourselves."

"Same difference to the media. You're the hero in this story, Harper. The woman who stood up to a corporate villain."

Harper didn't feel like a hero. She felt exhausted and nauseated and desperate for this to be over.

"I have to go," Jessie said. "But call me if you need anything. Anything."

After hanging up, Harper closed her eyes, trying to process everything. They'd won. Marcus was arrested. The evidence was overwhelming. So why did she feel like the other shoe was about to drop?

Her phone buzzed. Unknown number. She almost ignored it, but something made her answer.

"Harper Colton?" A woman's voice, professional and unfamiliar.

"Who is this?"

"Amanda Walsh, investigative reporter with the Seattle Times. I'm working on a story about Marcus Colton and I have some questions about your relationship with Sebastian."

"No comment."

"Even about contract marriage? I have documents suggesting you and Sebastian planned this from the beginning. That you knew each other before the inheritance."

Harper's blood went cold. "That's not true."

"I have emails, Mrs. Colton. Between you and Sebastian dating back eighteen months. Before your aunt died. Before you inherited anything."

"That's impossible…"

"Is it? Because they're very detailed. Discussions about the hotel, about Sebastian's interest in the property, about potential arrangements." Amanda's voice was sharp. "Did you and Sebastian conspire to defraud Marcus Colton? To manipulate the inheritance?"

"I've never,we never." Harper's mind raced. "Those emails are fake. Forged."

"Maybe. Or maybe you're not as innocent as you're pretending."

The call ended.

Harper stared at her phone, panic rising. Forged emails. Marcus's last play. Even from custody, he was still fighting.

She called Sebastian immediately. Voicemail. Called Claire. Voicemail.

Called Patricia. "We have a problem."

She explained about the reporter, the supposed emails, the implications.

Patricia swore. "This is Marcus. Has to be. He's trying to muddy the waters, make you and Sebastian look like co-conspirators."

"Can he do that from jail?"

"He had time before arrest to set this up. Plant evidence, create false documentation." Patricia was already typing. "I'll get our cyber forensics team on it. But Harper, if those emails look convincing, even if they're fake…"

"They'll destroy everything we just built."

"Exactly."

Harper hung up and sank into a chair, hand on her stomach. Their baby, barely three months along, was already caught in a war they thought they'd won.

Her phone buzzed. Text from the same unknown number. A screenshot of an email allegedly from her to Sebastian, dated two years ago:If we can get Marcus out of the picture, the hotel becomes much easier to acquire. Whatever it takes.

She'd never written those words. Never even met Sebastian two years ago.

But it looked real. Terrifyingly real.

Another text: The story runs tomorrow unless you give me a statement. Your choice.

Harper called Sebastian again. This time he answered.

"Harper? I'm in the middle of…"

"Marcus planted fake emails. A reporter has them. They make it look like we conspired against him from the beginning."

Silence.

"Sebastian?"

"I'm coming home. Now.”