Chapter 7 - The Signature
The boardroom was a tomb. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner sounded like a sledgehammer.
Richard looked at his executives, desperate for someone, anyone, to interject and save him. But they were looking at him with a mixture of pity and barely concealed disgust. They knew if he didn't sign, they were all out of a job.
"Sign it, Richard," his CFO hissed quietly. "It's over."
With a trembling hand, Richard picked up a pen. A tear slipped down his cheek, landing on the paper just inches from where he scrawled his signature. He had signed away his legacy, his fortune, and his power, all because his wife couldn't control her bigotry for a three-hour flight.
I pulled the document back, inspecting the signature, and handed it to my legal aide who had been waiting silently by the door.
"A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Belmont," I said, my tone crisp and professional. "Security will be up in ten minutes to escort you from the building. I suggest you pack your personal effects quickly."
May you like
As I turned to leave, Richard buried his face in his hands, letting out a hollow, broken sob.
"Oh, and Richard?" I paused at the doorway, looking back at his ruined figure. "Your wife’s bail hearing is at 4:00 PM. I suggest you hire a very good defense attorney. I plan on pressing maximum federal charges."
