Chapter 8 - The House of Cards Crumbles-8
"Turn that off!" Gavin roared, lunging forward across the mahogany table as if he intended to physically assault me in front of the entire board.
Before he could take two steps, the two federal marshals flanking Marcus stepped forward with practiced, lightning speed, pinning Gavin's arms behind his back and forcing him down against the table with a sharp, metallic click of handcuffs.
"Get your hands off me!" Gavin screamed, thrashing wildly, his expensive tuxedo jacket tearing at the seam. "Do you know who I am? I am the CEO of Summit Enterprises! This is a hostile takeover! Arrest her! Arrest them all!"
"Mr. Gavin Barrett," one of the marshals stated calmly, reading from a laminated warrant, "you are hereby placed under arrest for suspicion of corporate fraud, embezzlement of corporate funds, securities manipulation, and active investigation into vehicular sabotage resulting in homicide."
At the word homicide the entire boardroom erupted into chaotic shouting. Board members stood up, shouting over one another, while financial journalists stationed in the back media gallery frantically snapped photographs of Gavin pinned to the table in handcuffs.
Celina shrieked in horror, clutching her chest as she stumbled backward into the credenza. "My son is innocent! You're framing him! This is a conspiracy!"
"Sit down, Celina," I said, turning my gaze slowly toward my former mother-in-law. "Your offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands are currently being frozen by federal subpoena as we speak. Every penny you and Gavin siphoned from Summit’s R&D division has been fully mapped and accounted for. You're going to join him in federal custody very soon."
Celina’s knees buckled, and she collapsed into a chair, staring blankly at the floor as her dream of aristocratic luxury evaporated into thin air.
I walked past Gavin, who was now glaring up at me with venomous, unadulterated hatred, his face pressed against the polished wood.
"You... you bitch," he spat, spittle flying from his lips. "You think you've won? Without me, Summit will bleed dry! You're nothing without a man to manage you!"
I stopped, leaning down so my face was inches from his. I let out a quiet, ice-cold laugh.
"Gavin," I whispered, "my father built this empire from a single desk and a telephone. You were just a clerk who mistook borrowing my shoes for owning the road. Enjoy your new orange wardrobe."
May you like
I stood up straight, smoothing my skirt, and turned to face the stunned members of the board of directors.
"Meeting adjourned," I announced clearly. "Effective immediately, my shares are restored, my position as Chairwoman is resumed, and we have a company to run."
