Chapter 9 - Building the Future
A year went by in a blur of beautiful chaos and massive corporate success.
Aurora was growing quickly, a happy and brilliant toddler who had the entire Vanguard executive board wrapped around her little finger.
I had transformed the company, pushing it into renewable energy and green technology.
Under my direct leadership, our stock prices had tripled.
I was no longer the hidden, secret owner.
I was the face of the empire.
Forbes magazine had just put me on their front cover, calling me "The Iron Queen of Wall Street."
I sat in my massive corner office, looking out through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the sprawling city below.
Vance knocked briefly on the door before stepping in.
"Madam Chairman," Vance said, carrying a thick security file.
"Yes, Vance?" I asked, not turning away from the window.
"I have the annual threat assessment report," he said. "And an update on inmate 48291."
Inmate 48291. Brendan.
"Go ahead," I said, my voice completely devoid of emotion.
"He sent another letter," Vance said, holding up a cheap, wrinkled envelope. "Begging for forgiveness. Begging you to put money in his commissary account. He says the other inmates are not... treating him well."
I finally turned around and looked at Vance.
I thought about the freezing, dirty water running down my face.
I thought about the laughter.
"Burn it," I said flatly. "And instruct the prison to block all future outgoing mail directed to me or my corporate offices."
"Understood, Ma'am," Vance nodded, turning to leave.
"Wait, Vance," I called out.
May you like
"Yes, Ma'am?"
"Send a hundred-dollar anonymous donation to his mother's laundromat," I smiled coldly. "Tell her it's for soap."
