Chapter 8 - The Cornered Rat|
At three o'clock that afternoon, Richard Whitmore sat in his lavish corner office at Whitmore Enterprises, furiously pounding his fist against his mahogany desk.
Across from him sat Victoria, her face pale, nervously chewing on her manicured thumbnail.
“Where is she, Richard?!” Victoria demanded, her voice shrill. “The police said Moretti’s security team blocked them from serving the warrant at the hotel!”
“Moretti is playing games!” Richard snarled, pacing behind his chair. “He thinks he can intimidate us because he owns the building!”
“He doesn't just own the building, Richard!” Victoria yelled, standing up. “He has the key! If he opens box 408, the SEC will seize our assets before the market closes tomorrow!”
The office door suddenly swung open.
Bianca rushed into the room, holding her phone, her eyes wide with terror. “Mom! Dad! Look at the television! Right now!”
Richard grabbed the remote control, snapping the wall-mounted television on.
The screen showed a live broadcast from the main lobby of the Aurelia Grand.
Standing behind a podium surrounded by dozens of reporters was Niko Moretti. Beside him stood Ava, dressed in a sharp, tailored black suit, her dark hair pinned back elegantly, looking calm, regal, and composed.
“...Effective immediately,” Niko spoke clearly into the microphones, “Moretti Holdings has acquired seventy percent of the debt notes associated with Whitmore Enterprises.”
Richard dropped the remote. “What?!”
“Furthermore,” Niko continued smoothly, “Miss Ava Monroe has filed a formal federal lawsuit against Victoria and Bianca Whitmore for copyright infringement, grand larceny, and corporate fraud. All evidence has been handed over to the District Attorney’s office.”
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On the screen, Ava stepped up to the microphone, holding a thick folder.
“Ten years ago,” Ava spoke into the cameras, her voice strong and clear, “my mother, Eleanor Monroe, built the foundation of what you now call the Whitmore Collection. Today, I am taking it back.”
