Chapter 13 - The Fall of the Patriarch
The heavy oak doors of the boardroom swung open once more.
This time, three federal marshals in dark tactical vests entered the room.
Their badges gleamed brightly beneath the fifty-floor lights.
The lead marshal walked directly up to Charles Moretti, who was still pinned between two security guards.
“Charles Moretti?”
The marshal’s voice echoed off the glass walls.
“I have a federal warrant for your arrest on charges of corporate embezzlement, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit murder, and arson.”
Charles let out a harsh, choking sound of disbelief.
“You cannot touch me!”
“I am a founding trustee of Moretti Maritime!”
“You are a prisoner of the state, Mr. Moretti.”
The marshal snapped a pair of heavy steel handcuffs around Charles’s wrists.
The metal clicked shut with a sharp, final sound that signaled the end of an era.
As the marshals dragged him toward the exit, Charles planted his heels against the carpet.
He turned his head over his shoulder, his eyes locked onto Isabella with pure, unadulterated malice.
“She is Maria’s daughter!”
“She will destroy you all just like her mother tried to!”
“Get him out of my sight,” Isabella commanded.
Her voice cut through the room with the force of a falling guillotine.
The marshals yanked Charles forward, and the heavy double doors closed behind them, sealing his fate forever.
Julian Moretti sat frozen at the side of the table, staring at his shaking hands.
“What about me?”
Julian whispered, his voice barely audible.
“I didn't know about the murder plot, Isabella.”
“I swear on my life, I only thought we were securing the merger.”
Damian looked down at his cousin with cold detachment.
“You signed off on the fraudulent audits, Julian.”
“You laundered funds through the port terminals.”
“You will resign your executive position before noon today, hand over every share you own to the foundation at market minimum, and leave the country by midnight.”
“If you are still within state lines tomorrow morning, I will let Marcus handle your case personally.”
Julian swallowed hard, tears of humiliation spilling down his cheeks.
“I accept.”
He stood up, grabbed his briefcase, and practically ran out of the boardroom without looking back.
Vanessa Cole stood up from her seat in the gallery, her face pale, smoothing her lavender jacket with trembling fingers.
“I believe our family meeting is concluded, Mr. Moretti.”
“I’ll take my leave.”
“Stay where you are, Vanessa,” Isabella said smoothly, not even turning her head.
Vanessa froze mid-step.
“You came here this morning expecting to celebrate a merger built on stolen land and forged blood.”
Isabella rested her hands flat against the rosewood table, the two silver phoenix pendants resting against her collarbone.
“Tell your father that if Cole Logistics wants to partner with Moretti Holdings, he will renegotiate the terms at my desk.”
“On my terms.”
“Starting tomorrow morning at eight o’clock.”
May you like
Vanessa swallowed her pride, nodded stiffly, and hurried out of the room alongside the remaining terrified board members.
Within two minutes, the boardroom was completely empty except for Isabella, Damian, and Marcus.
