Chapter 5 - The Fall of the Inner Circle
“Federal marshals,” Arthur Pendelton said calmly, raising his hand. “Execute the warrants.”
Before Henderson or Julian could move, the two marshals stepped forward, heavy steel handcuffs clicking sharply as they pinned Julian’s arms behind his back.
“Get your hands off me!” Julian screamed, thrashing against the restraint as his polished loafers slipped on the custom Persian rug. “Charlotte! You can’t do this! We loved each other! Remember the cottage in the Hamptons? Remember—”
“I remember every single lie you told me while looking straight into my eyes,” Charlotte said quietly, walking right up to him. She reached out and pulled the expensive diamond engagement ring off her finger, dropping it carelessly onto the mahogany table like a piece of worthless trash. “You were so busy playing the role of the golden boy that you forgot who actually held the keys to the kingdom.”
Henderson tried to slip toward the side exit, but Thomas—who had followed them up from the lobby—blocked the doorway, his massive arms crossed over his chest, blocking the old man’s escape route.
“Where do you think you’re going, Mr. Henderson?” Thomas asked, his voice low and threatening. “The lobby manager position is closed, but we have an opening in the basement laundry unit.”
As the marshals dragged Julian and Henderson out of the boardroom, the remaining executives slumped down into their chairs, realizing that fighting was completely useless. Their empire of lies had collapsed in less than an hour.
Arthur turned to Charlotte, bowing slightly once more. “The emergency board meeting is yours to chair, Miss Vale. What are your orders?”
Charlotte looked around the room, taking in the frightened faces of the people who had tried to erase her very existence.
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“Freeze all corporate accounts,” Charlotte commanded, her voice ringing with absolute authority. “Audit every single department down to the cleaning staff wages. And prepare a press statement for the morning news: the Solmere Empire is officially back in the hands of its rightful owner.”
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