Chapter 8 - The Cleansing Fire
The boardroom erupted into chaos. The corrupt board members who had sided with Sterling began shouting over each other, desperately trying to backpedal and claim they knew nothing about the fraud.
I ignored them. I watched as the double doors opened again. This time, it wasn't my security team. It was law enforcement. Agents in dark windbreakers moved quickly, securing the room.
"Victor Sterling," the lead agent said, stepping forward with handcuffs. "You are under arrest for corporate espionage, wire fraud, and conspiracy. Richard and Vanessa Sterling, you are also under arrest for grand larceny and embezzlement."
Vanessa began screaming as the cold metal clamped around her wrists. "Amelia! You can't do this! I'm family! We are family!"
"Family protects each other," I said, looking her dead in the eye. "You put a leash on my neck. You made your choice."
Richard didn't scream. He simply wept as he was pulled to his feet. He looked at me one last time, a pathetic, broken man who had traded his soul for a little bit of power. I turned my back on him. I felt no pity. Only relief. The rot was finally being excised.
Sterling maintained his arrogant composure as he was led away, but the vein pulsing in his forehead betrayed his fury. "This isn't over, Amelia. I have lawyers. I will fight this."
"Fight all you want, Victor," I replied, sitting down at the head of the table. "You'll be doing it from a federal cell."
Once the criminals were removed, a heavy silence settled over the remaining board members. The few who had stayed loyal to me looked relieved. The ones who had accepted Sterling's bribes looked terrified.
"If you voted for the buyout today, you have ten minutes to clear out your desks and resign," I told them coldly. "If you refuse, I will have the forensic accountants tear through your personal finances next. Are we clear?"
They practically tripped over themselves running out of the room.
I was left alone in the boardroom with Marcus. The storm that had been brewing for two days had finally broken. The company was safe. The traitors were gone.
"It's going to be a lot of work to rebuild, Amelia," Marcus said softly, pouring me a glass of water from the silver pitcher on the table.
"I know," I said, looking out the massive windows at the resort grounds. The dark clouds that had gathered yesterday were breaking, letting rays of golden sunlight pierce through and hit the crystal-clear pools below. "But for the first time in two years, the air feels clean."
May you like
I picked up the heavy gold founder's medallion that sat on the table. It had been heavy around my neck when I was dragged through the lobby. But now, holding it in my palm, it felt exactly like what it was meant to be. A symbol of strength.
I pinned the crest to my lapel. Elysium wasn't just a resort anymore. It was my kingdom. And the queen was finally home.
