Chapter 8 - THE MISTRESS’S EXIT
4:00 p.m.
The lobby of the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan was filled with high-society guests sipping afternoon tea.
Claire Bennett stood near the reception desk, wearing a pink tweed Chanel suit, surrounding herself with six designer shopping bags she had purchased earlier that morning on Fifth Avenue using the supplementary credit card Dante had given her in Paris.
"I’m sorry, Miss Bennett," the hotel manager said politely, stepping up to her with a tablet in hand. "There appears to be an issue with your room key."
Claire tossed her blonde hair, offering a bright, arrogant smile. "An issue? I’m staying in the Presidential Suite under Dante Romano’s reservation. Just issue a duplicate key."
"I’m afraid that’s not possible," the manager replied, his voice dropping into a cold, professional tone. "Mr. Romano’s corporate credit card was declined ten minutes ago during our automated afternoon balance check."
Claire’s smile faltered slightly. "Declined? That’s impossible. Dante has unlimited credit with Bank of America Private Wealth."
"The account has been terminated, ma'am," the manager said. "Furthermore, a representative from Vale Management is currently in the lobby to handle the liquidation of all assets tied to Mr. Romano."
Claire turned around.
Walking across the marble lobby floor toward her was Thomas Vance, dressed in a sharp black suit, flanked by two female security officers.
"Claire Bennett?" Thomas asked calmly.
"Yes," Claire stammered, pulling her Hermes handbag closer to her chest. "Who are you? Where is Dante?"
Thomas pulled a document from his coat. "Dante Romano is currently homeless and facing multiple federal financial fraud indictments. I am here to repossess all items purchased using Vale Trust corporate cards over the past eighteen months."
Claire gasped, her face going pale. "Repossess?! You can't touch my personal belongings!"
"These are not your belongings, Miss Bennett," Thomas said smoothly. "They were purchased using stolen funds from Vale International Holdings."
The two female security officers stepped forward.
With practiced efficiency, one officer reached out and smoothly took the Hermes handbag from Claire’s hands, while the other began gathering the six Chanel shopping bags from the floor.
"Hey! Stop! Help! Robbery!" Claire shrieked, looking around at the wealthy hotel guests who were now staring and whispering in shock. "Call the police!"
"The police are already aware, ma'am," Thomas said, pulling a second document from his coat. "In fact, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has issued a subpoena for your tax records regarding seven hundred thousand dollars in undeclared offshore cash transfers sent to your personal account in the Cayman Islands by Dante Romano."
Claire’s breath hitched in her throat. Her eyes went wide with sheer terror. "Cash... cash transfers? I didn't know where that money came from! Dante just gave it to me!"
"Ignorance of tax fraud is not a legal defense, Miss Bennett," Thomas smiled thinly. "I suggest you hire a good lawyer. Though, considering your frozen accounts, you may have to settle for a public defender."
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Thomas turned his back on her, walking toward the exit as his security detail carried away every luxury item Claire possessed.
Claire stood alone in the middle of the crowded Plaza lobby, wearing a suit she couldn't pay for, holding an empty keycard, completely stripped of the glamour she had traded her soul to buy.
