Chapter 6 - The Phantom Enemy
The fallout was instantaneous and explosive. Within two hours, Elysium Resort's stock price took a sharp dip, but the public outcry was entirely directed at Vanessa and Richard. Protestors were already gathering outside the resort gates, holding signs demanding their arrest.
The lawyers who had marched in with such confidence were now sweating profusely, frantically checking their buzzing phones.
"This doesn't change the board vote," Vanessa hissed, though her voice shook. "The board cares about money, not PR! When they see the profits we've pulled in—"
"The fraudulent profits?" I interrupted, tossing the financial dossier onto the desk. "The board is going to see that you've been cooking the books to hide massive deficits. Deficits caused by your embezzlement."
I turned to the lead lawyer. "I suggest you distance yourself from your clients. They are about to be indicted for corporate fraud, grand larceny, and assault. And if you help them cover it up, I'll make sure you're disbarred."
The lawyers exchanged a panicked look and practically ran out of the office, leaving Richard and Vanessa entirely alone.
"Now," I said, walking around the desk and standing inches from Richard. "I will ask you one last time. Who is the silent partner? Who helped you set up the offshore accounts?"
Richard swallowed hard, looking at his wife, who glared at him, silently commanding him to stay quiet. But Richard was broken.
"It was Sterling," Richard whispered, his voice trembling. "Victor Sterling."
The name hit me like a physical blow. Victor Sterling was the CEO of Vanguard Hospitality, our biggest rival. He was a ruthless corporate shark who had spent the last decade trying to buy me out. I had always refused.
"Sterling approached us a year ago," Richard confessed, tears streaming down his face. "He said he could help us maximize profits. He set up the shell companies. He taught me how to funnel the money. The plan was... the plan was to drain Elysium's cash reserves so the stock would tank. Then, Vanguard would swoop in and buy the company for pennies on the dollar."
Vanessa slapped him across the face. "Shut up, you idiot! You're giving her everything!"
I didn't care about the slap. The puzzle pieces suddenly clicked into place. This wasn't just family greed; this was a hostile takeover orchestrated from the shadows. Sterling had used my weak, greedy cousin to destroy my company from the inside.
"When is the buyout vote supposed to happen?" I demanded.
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"Tomorrow," Richard sobbed. "At the emergency board meeting. Sterling has already bought off three of the board members. With our votes, he has the majority. Vanguard is going to absorb Elysium."
I looked at the clock. It was 4:00 PM. I had less than twenty-four hours to stop Victor Sterling from stealing my empire.
