Part 3: The Asset Blockade
By 11:00 p.m., the Prescott mansion in the exclusive Charlotte suburb was surrounded by dark utility vehicles.
Federal compliance inspectors were already packing physical ledgers and corporate backup drives into secure black crates.
I sat in the passenger seat of my command vehicle, watching the massive white columns of their estate look dark and hollow under the midnight sky.
Emily was safe, resting in a secure medical wing at Fort Liberty under full military protection.
My chief legal officer, Major Naomi Pierce, walked up to my vehicle, holding a leather-bound portfolio bearing the federal district court stamp.
"The asset blockade is complete, Colonel," Naomi said, handing me a printout of the master registry changes.
"Ethan and Brandon have been officially stripped of their logistics clearances, and the Prescott family bank accounts are under an immediate freeze."
"They thought their local political influence would shield them from a structural audit," I said, looking out at the rain.
"They forgot that when you supply the United States military, your entire infrastructure belongs to the oversight board."
The door of the mansion burst open, and Margaret Prescott rushed out into the pouring rain, her expensive black dress soaked as she ran toward my vehicle.
"Victoria, please!" she screamed through the closing window, her pearls clashing loudly as she banged her hand against the glass.
"We can settle this out of court! My sons made a mistake, but this will destroy our entire family empire!"
I rolled down the window just an inch, looking down at her without an ounce of pity.
May you like
"You told my daughter that your family had influence in places that matter, Margaret," I said softly.
"But you forgot that I control the perimeter."
