Chapter 9 - The Legal Guillotine
Arthur Sterling opened a sleek leather portfolio, extracting a set of official corporate documents and laying them neatly across the pristine white tablecloth.
“Effective immediately upon the probate of the late Daniel Vance’s estate, Mrs. Claire Vance holds one hundred percent of the voting shares, patents, and executive control of Meridian Aeronautics,” Sterling announced clearly, his voice echoing across the silent ballroom.
He then pulled out a second, thicker dossier stamped with federal compliance seals.
“Furthermore, acting under the direct instruction of Chairwoman Vance, Meridian’s legal counsel has officially transferred all financial audit findings regarding Vanguard Industrial directly to the United States Department of Justice and the federal magistrate.”
Sterling looked directly at Richard, who was now trembling so violently he had to grip the edge of the table to keep from collapsing.
“Mr. Richard Vance, you are formally served with a federal injunction freezing all corporate and personal assets associated with Vanguard Industrial due to systemic fraud, embezzlement, and falsified federal defense sub-contracts,” Sterling concluded, handing the legal notice directly to Richard’s chest.
Richard stared down at the papers as if they were a death warrant. His legs buckled beneath him, and he slumped heavily into an empty velvet chair, burying his face in his hands as quiet, desperate whimps escaped his throat.
My mother rushed forward, grabbing my arm with frantic, clawing fingers.
“Claire! Claire, what have you done?!” she screamed, her face twisted in absolute horror. “That’s your sister’s husband! That’s your family! How could you ruin them?! Where is your heart?!”
I looked down at my mother’s hand clutching my velvet sleeve. Slowly, deliberately, I peeled her fingers away one by one, stepping back.
May you like
“My heart was buried six weeks ago in St. Matthew’s Cemetery,” I said coldly, my voice devoid of a single drop of warmth. “And you didn't show up because Vanessa had a birthday dinner.”
---
