Chapter 9 - THE CONCESSION
The senior board members exchanged horrified glances. The threat of federal indictments and total brand destruction was too much to bear.
The oldest director, Arthur Vance, stood up slowly, adjusting his spectacles. "Marcus... this is indefensible. The board cannot cover this up. If the Department of Justice launches a full audit into our media catalog, the stock will crash to zero."
"Arthur! You coward!" Marcus spat, his voice raspy with fury.
"I second the motion for a vote of no confidence," Arthur said firmly, looking away from his lifelong friend.
One by one, six other directors raised their hands in agreement.
"The motion passes," Sarah announced, entering the tally into the official record. "Marcus Sterling is officially suspended from his role as Chairman, effective immediately, pending a full forensic accounting of the firm's assets."
Marcus stood frozen at the head of the table. His empire, built over forty years of ruthless ambition and cold calculation, had crumbled in less than forty-five minutes at the hands of the son he had manipulated and the granddaughter he had tried to discard.
May you like
He looked at Maya, his breath coming in ragged, shallow gasps. "You... you ruined us..."
"No," Maya answered softly, her dark eyes filled with a sad, quiet pity. "We just finished the song."
