Chapter 3 - The Squeeze
Julian’s firm, Vance Logistics, relied on a singular massive contract to keep its doors open. They provided medical supply routing software for a conglomerate known as Apex Health.
What Julian’s arrogant, surface-level networking failed to uncover was that Apex Health was a subsidiary of Sterling Industries.
Three days after the incident in the NICU, I sat in my hospital suite, a laptop resting on my knees, watching the financial bloodbath unfold in real-time. Arthur had permitted me to dial into the emergency board meeting Julian had called, keeping my camera off and my microphone muted.
On the screen, Julian looked like he hadn't slept in a week. His hair was disheveled, his tie undone. He was pacing at the head of a mahogany boardroom table.
“What do you mean Apex canceled the contract?” Julian yelled at his CFO. “We have an ironclad, five-year agreement!”
“They invoked the morality clause, Julian!” the CFO yelled back, looking equally panicked. “And that’s not all. The bank froze our operating accounts this morning. Someone tipped off the SEC about the missing investor funds. We can’t make payroll on Friday. We are dead in the water.”
“Who? Who tipped them off?” Julian demanded, slamming his fist on the table.
“We did,” Arthur’s voice boomed from the speakers.
Julian froze, staring at the conference room monitor as Arthur’s face appeared on the screen, sitting in his opulent office.
“Mr. Sterling...” Julian swallowed hard.
“Your company is insolvent, Mr. Vance,” Arthur said smoothly. “Your accounts are frozen. The SEC is drafting a warrant for your arrest regarding the embezzlement. However, Sterling Industries is prepared to buy Vance Logistics for pennies on the dollar, assuming all your debts.”
“You’re trying to steal my company!” Julian screamed, losing his composure completely.
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“I am taking out the trash,” Arthur corrected. “You will sign the company over to my granddaughter, Clara, by 5:00 PM today, or I will let the feds drag you out of that office in handcuffs.”
The feed cut. I closed the laptop, a cold satisfaction settling in my chest. He was cornered.
