Chapter 7 - A Sister's Panic
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The fallout from the boardroom ambush spread through the halls of Vanguard Architects like a wildfire fed by high winds.
Within two hours, news of Capital Horizon freezing the forty-million-dollar construction loan leaked to the financial press. Vanguard’s stock, traded on the regional exchange, plummeted by thirty-four percent before trading was temporarily suspended by regulatory officials.
Inside Julian’s corner office, the air was thick with panic.
Mila was pacing back and forth across the plush Persian rug, clutching her cell phone to her ear, her face pale and streaked with mascara.
“What do you mean my black card was declined?” Mila screamed into the receiver. “I am Mila Rhodess! Try the transaction again!”
She slammed the phone down onto the glass coffee table, turning frantically toward her mother. “Mom! My credit cards aren't working! The bank says all accounts linked to the Rhodess family trust have been placed under a temporary judicial freeze!”
Eleanor was sitting on the leather sofa, her hands clutching her head. Her immaculate silver hair was disheveled, and the regal posture she had maintained for decades had completely collapsed.
“How could Arthur Vance side with her?” Eleanor muttered to herself, her voice hollow and manic. “He was Julian’s mentor! He’s supposed to protect this company!”
Julian sat behind his massive mahogany desk, staring blankly at his laptop screen. Hundreds of unread emails were flooding his inbox from clients, news outlets, and angry shareholders demanding answers.
“She had everything documented, Mom,” Julian said softly, his voice devoid of all energy. “Every blueprint. Every wire transfer. Every signature. She was planning this for years.”
“Then she’s a traitor!” Mila shrieked, stomping her foot. “She lived in our house! She ate our food! You need to call the police, Julian! Have her arrested for corporate sabotage!”
Julian let out a ragged, bitter laugh. “Arrested for what, Mila? Taking back what was legally hers? The lawyers said if this goes to trial, I’m facing up to fifteen years in federal prison for wire fraud and copyright infringement.”
Mila froze. The reality of the situation finally pierced through her vanity. “P-prison? But... what about my allowance? What about the European trip we planned for next month?”
“There is no trip, Mila!” Julian snapped, slammed his fist onto the desk. “There is no money! Vanguard is broke!”
At that moment, the office door clicked open.
Arthur Vance walked in, accompanied by two court-appointed process servers carrying heavy leather briefcases.
Eleanor snapped her head up, her eyes flashing with renewed rage. “Arthur! Get out of my son’s office! You have caused enough damage!”
Arthur ignored her, gesturing for the process servers to set their documents on Julian’s desk.
“Julian Rhodess,” the lead server announced crisply. “You are officially served with an emergency injunction from the Washington State Superior Court. You are hereby ordered to vacate the premises of Vanguard Architects immediately, pending a full forensic audit.”
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Julian looked up, his eyes bloodshot. “Arthur... please. We’re family.”
Arthur Vance looked down at Julian, his eyes cold and unyielding. “You lost the right to call anyone family the moment you turned Leah into your slave, Julian. Pack your personal items. You have ten minutes before security escorts you from the building.”
