Chapter 9 - The Fall of the King
"You built an empire on blackmail and lies, Victor," Ethan countered, his voice ringing with absolute authority.
"And now, you are going to pay for every single life you destroyed to get to the top."
Ethan held up a copy of the encrypted black hard drive for the hundreds of flashing cameras to see.
"This drive contains undeniable proof of corporate fraud, bribery, and illegal wiretapping orchestrated by Victor Harrison," Ethan announced.
The lobby erupted into absolute chaos as reporters began screaming over each other to get the story.
Victor lunged forward violently, trying to snatch the drive right out of his son’s hands.
But Ethan easily dodged the older man, letting his father stumble clumsily in front of the press.
"My first official act as the new majority shareholder is to terminate Victor Harrison from his position as CEO," I announced loudly.
"My second act is handing this evidence over to the federal authorities."
Right on cue, the glass doors of the lobby slid open, and four serious agents from the FBI walked straight into the chaos.
They pushed through the screaming crowd of journalists, flashing their golden badges directly at Victor.
"Victor Harrison, you are under arrest for federal racketeering and corporate fraud," the lead agent stated firmly.
Victor looked around wildly, suddenly realizing that none of his highly paid security guards were stepping in to help him.
His empire had completely collapsed in less than twenty-four hours.
"You will regret this, Emma!" Victor screamed as the agents roughly pulled his hands behind his back.
"You are nothing but a common gold-digger!"
I stood perfectly still, watching the police slap cold steel handcuffs onto the wrists of the man who had ruined my youth.
"I didn't dig for gold, Victor," I reminded him quietly as they dragged him away.
"I became the gold."
The reporters continued to shout questions, but Ethan gently placed his hand on the small of my back.
"We are done here," Ethan whispered, guiding me safely away from the chaotic media circus.
May you like
We walked out of the building together, leaving the crumbling legacy of Victor Harrison behind us forever.
The heavy, dark clouds over Seattle finally broke, letting a brilliant beam of sunlight wash over the wet streets.
