Chapter 3 - The Apex Capital Ultimatum and the Family Betrayal
The boardroom erupted into absolute chaos.
Arthur Fairchild stood up so fast his heavy leather chair crashed backward onto the plush carpet.
“What is the meaning of this?!” Arthur roared, pointing a trembling finger at Raymond.
“Who the hell are you, and what are you talking about with federal injunctions? Security, throw these intruders out!”
“I wouldn't touch those boxes if I were you, Arthur,” Raymond replied with icy composure, not even flinching.
“Unless you want obstruction of justice added to the long list of federal indictments currently being processed against this corporation.”
Brendan rushed down the length of the table, his face flushed with a mixture of rage and sheer panic.
“Nora!” Brendan screamed, grabbing my arm tightly.
“Have you completely lost your mind?! You’re sabotaging our company! You’re ruining my career over a tantrum? Because I didn't answer your phone calls while you were mourning?!”
I looked down at his hand gripping my wrist, then slowly raised my gaze to meet his frantic eyes.
Slowly, deliberately, I raised my other hand and slapped him across the face.
The sharp crack echoed off the glass walls of the boardroom, silencing every single executive in the room.
Brendan stumbled back, releasing my arm, holding his stinging cheek in utter disbelief.
“You never listen, Brendan,” I said quietly, smoothing the cuff of my jacket.
“You thought you married a destitute orphan who would be grateful for the crumbs falling off your corporate table. You thought you could starve my daughter of medicine while you played house with Samantha Hayes.”
Arthur Fairchild looked between his son and me, his voice trembling with fury.
“Brendan! What is she talking about? What medication? What lawsuit? Explain yourself right now!”
“It’s nothing, Dad!” Brendan stammered, his composure completely shattered.
“She’s grieving! She’s mentally unstable because our daughter passed away last week! She doesn't know what she’s saying!”
“Oh, I know exactly what I’m saying, Brendan,” a smooth, deep voice interrupted from the doorway.
Everyone turned again.
Walking into the boardroom was Julian Vance, Apex Capital’s primary managing director and the lead investor behind the fifty-million-dollar merger currently hanging in the balance.
Julian looked directly at Brendan, his expression carved from stone.
“Mr. Fairchild,” Julian said coldly.
“Apex Capital’s legal team has just reviewed the documents provided by Mrs. Fairchild’s counsel. It appears that a significant portion of Fairchild Enterprises’ operating capital—including the funds earmarked for our merger—was illegally siphoned through shell companies to fund personal luxury assets and undisclosed offshore accounts.”
Brendan turned the color of curdled milk.
“That’s… that’s a lie!” Brendan gasped.
“Apex performed full due diligence! You approved our financials!”
“Our due diligence relied on audited reports provided by your executive assistant, Ximena,” Julian replied, walking over to stand beside Raymond and me.
“Reports that Mrs. Fairchild’s forensic accounting team has proven to be thoroughly falsified. Effective immediately, Apex Capital is withdrawing from the merger, calling in our existing short-term loans, and initiating bankruptcy proceedings against Fairchild Enterprises.”
The room spun around Brendan.
Arthur Fairchild clutched his chest, gasping for air as he collapsed back into his chair.
“My company…” Arthur whispered.
“Everything I built… destroyed…”
I walked slowly toward Brendan, stopping just inches away from him.
“You thought you controlled everything, Brendan,” I whispered, so only he could hear.
“You controlled the family portal. You controlled the household budget. You controlled every dollar I spent.”
May you like
I smiled coldly.
“You just forgot to check whose family name was on the majority voting shares of the trust that funded this entire empire before you were even born.”
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