Chapter 7 - The Trap Is Set
I didn't sleep that night. The penthouse became a war room. Marcus brought in extra security, locking Richard and Vanessa in separate suites with guards at the doors. They weren't under official arrest yet—I needed them present for the board meeting tomorrow to spring my trap.
I spent the night making calls. I called the loyal managers Richard had fired, offering them their jobs back with full back pay. I called forensic investigators. But most importantly, I called the FBI's white-collar crime division.
By 9:00 AM the next morning, the grand boardroom of the Elysium Resort was buzzing with tension. The long mahogany table was surrounded by the board of directors. Sitting at the far end, looking far too comfortable in a building he didn't own yet, was Victor Sterling.
He was a shark in a tailored suit, a man who smiled but never let the warmth reach his eyes.
Richard and Vanessa were escorted in by Marcus. They looked haggard, terrified, and small. They took their seats without a word.
"Well," Sterling said, checking his gold watch. "It seems we have a quorum. I call this emergency meeting to order. As we are all aware, Elysium is facing a severe financial crisis. Given the recent... PR disaster regarding the founder's unfortunate return, the stock is volatile. Vanguard Hospitality is prepared to offer a buyout to save this company from total ruin."
Several board members nodded in agreement, clearly having been promised lucrative payouts by Sterling.
"All in favor of accepting the Vanguard acquisition?" Sterling asked, raising his hand.
Three board members raised their hands. Then, trembling, Richard slowly raised his hand. Vanessa did the same. That made five. A majority.
"Motion passes," Sterling smiled, a predatory gleam in his eye. "Elysium is now property of Vanguard."
"I think you need to check your math, Victor."
The heavy oak doors of the boardroom swung open. I walked in, wearing a sharp, blood-red blazer. I didn't look like a grieving widow. I didn't look like a homeless woman. I looked like a conqueror returning to her throne.
"Amelia," Sterling sneered, though his smile faltered slightly. "You're too late. The vote is cast. You lost."
"Did I?" I walked to the head of the table. "According to the corporate bylaws, a board member's vote is immediately invalidated if they are found to be acting in malicious violation of fiduciary duty. Meaning, a criminal cannot vote on the sale of the company they are robbing."
I tossed a thick bound ledger onto the center of the table.
"That is a complete record of the offshore accounts you set up for my cousin, Victor," I said, my voice echoing in the silent room. "Complete with your digital signatures and the wire transfers connecting Vanguard to the embezzlement scheme."
Sterling's face turned to stone. "Those are forgeries. You have no proof."
"Don't I?" I smiled. "Richard, would you like to tell Mr. Sterling about the sworn affidavit you signed at 3:00 AM this morning in exchange for a plea deal?"
Sterling whipped his head to look at Richard, who was shrinking into his chair, hiding his face in his hands.
May you like
"You idiot," Sterling hissed.
"The FBI is currently raiding Vanguard headquarters, Victor," I said gently, leaning over the table. "And they're waiting in the lobby right now for you."
