Chapter 10 - The Fall of the House of Hale
The next morning, the financial news networks were on fire.
I stood in my father’s office, watching the large plasma TV on the wall.
“Breaking news this morning: Hale Enterprises has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a massive default. Insiders report that CEO Richard Hale is currently under investigation for widespread fraud and embezzlement.”
The camera showed footage of federal agents carrying boxes out of the Hale corporate headquarters.
Another shot showed Richard, looking disheveled and aged ten years, pushing past reporters without saying a word.
“It’s done,” my father said, pouring two glasses of scotch. He handed one to me.
“Not yet,” I said, taking a sip. It burned my throat, but it felt right. “He still has offshore accounts. He’s going to try and run.”
My father smiled. It wasn't his usual cold corporate smile. It was a proud father’s smile.
“You really have my instincts, Daniel.”
The office door opened, and Sterling walked in, looking extremely satisfied.
“Sir, Daniel,” Sterling nodded. “We just received word from our contacts in the Cayman Islands. Mr. Hale attempted to wire his hidden funds to a private account in Switzerland.”
“And?” I asked.
“And, per your instructions, Daniel, we leaked the routing numbers to his angry creditors an hour before he made the transfer. They froze the accounts with a court injunction. He has absolutely nothing left.”
I set my glass down on the desk. The ghost of my mother, the pain of growing up with nothing, the humiliation at the wedding—it all finally felt settled.
“What about Lorraine and Vanessa?” my father asked.
“Lorraine was seen moving into a cheap motel by the airport,” Sterling reported, barely hiding a smirk. “Her country club revoked her membership this morning due to unpaid dues.”
“And Vanessa?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
Sterling hesitated. “She is downstairs, sir. In the lobby.”
My father looked at me. “Do you want security to remove her?”
May you like
I thought about it. I could let her rot outside. I could let the guards drag her away. But I needed to end this myself.
“No,” I said, straightening my tie. “Send her up. Let’s finish this.”
