Chapter 4 - The Hammer Falls
The sound of Marcus’s recorded voice hung in the air like poison.
Margaret let out a quiet, shattered sob. Hearing it with her own ears broke whatever maternal illusion she had left.
Marcus turned pale, looking at his mother. “Mom… I didn't mean it like that. It was just business talk.”
“Business talk?” I roared, slamming my fists on the table, finally letting the rage out. “You planned to lock your mother away! You stood by and watched your wife physically assault her in our own home! You are no son of mine.”
Chloe, realizing the ship was sinking, instantly turned on him. “It was his idea!” she screamed, pointing at Marcus. “He wanted the money! I just did the accounting! He made me do it!”
Marcus looked at his wife in horror. “Are you crazy?! You set up the offshore accounts!”
“Enough!” Thomas Vance’s voice cut through the chaos. He opened his briefcase and pulled out a stack of legally binding documents.
“Marcus and Chloe,” Thomas said professionally. “Under the Emergency Succession Protocol signed ten years ago, Arthur retains the right to instantly terminate and disinherit any beneficiary found guilty of corporate fraud or elder abuse against another beneficiary. As of this exact second, you are both terminated from Sterling Logistics.”
“You can't fire us!” Chloe spat. “We’ll sue you for wrongful termination!”
“You will be too busy fighting criminal charges,” I said, leaning forward. “Thomas is currently handing over the unredacted files to the District Attorney. Embezzling two million dollars is a federal crime.”
“Dad, please!” Marcus begged, tears finally spilling down his cheeks. He fell to his knees beside the boardroom table. “I have kids! How will I pay my mortgage? How will I feed Lily and Noah?”
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“You should have thought about Lily and Noah before you decided to steal their grandmother’s legacy,” I said coldly. “Leave your company phones and your company credit cards on the table. Now.”
They had no choice. Trembling, stripped of their power, they emptied their pockets and walked out of the boardroom.
