Chapter 9 - The Ultimatum
“You can't do this!” Lorraine shrieked, ignoring the stares of the billionaires around us. “We are the Hales!”
“You are bankrupt,” my father corrected her coldly.
Richard's hands were shaking violently. The fake police reports fell from his jacket pocket onto the marble floor.
“You think this stops me?” Richard snarled, spit flying from his lips. “I’ll go to the police! I’ll tell them you orchestrated a hostile takeover!”
“Tell them,” I said, stepping closer to him until we were chest to chest. “And while you’re there, you can explain the logistics fee you authorized on October 14th, 1996.”
All the blood drained from Richard’s face. He looked like he had been shot.
“I... I don't know what you’re talking about,” he stammered, backing away.
“You signed the check that paid the driver who killed my mother,” I whispered, loud enough only for him and my father to hear.
Vanessa gasped, covering her mouth. “Dad? What is he talking about?”
“Shut up!” Richard yelled at her, completely losing control. He looked wildly around the room. The security guards were slowly closing in.
“The statute of limitations on financial crimes has passed,” Richard wheezed, trying to regain some dignity. “You have nothing on me for that.”
“I don't need the police to punish you for that,” my father said, his voice devoid of any emotion. “I just needed to take everything you love. Your money. Your status. Your pride.”
My father looked at Lorraine, who was trembling, clutching her expensive handbag.
“You called me garbage, Lorraine,” my father said. “But tomorrow, you will be the ones packing your clothes into trash bags when the bank locks your doors.”
Richard lunged forward. “I’ll kill you, Mercer!”
Before he could take a full step, Marcus grabbed him by the collar, twisting his arm behind his back with terrifying speed. Richard cried out in pain, dropping to his knees.
“Dad!” Vanessa screamed, rushing forward.
I stepped in her way.
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with genuine panic and tears. “Daniel, please. You used to love me. Don't do this.”
“I loved a lie,” I said, looking down at her without an ounce of pity. “You stood there and laughed while they tore my family down. Now, you get to watch me tear yours apart.”
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“Mr. Mercer,” Marcus said, holding the struggling Richard down. “Orders?”
“Throw them out,” I said, turning my back on them. “They are trespassing.”
