Chapter 9 - The Banking Freeze
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By 7:00 AM, the financial district was in chaos.
Julian arrived at the headquarters of Cross Enterprises wearing a rumpled suit. He hadn't slept a wink. When he tried to tap his keycard at the executive elevator, the scanner beeped red.
ACCESS DENIED.
"What the hell?" Julian barked at the security guard. "I'm the CEO!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Cross," the guard said nervously. "Orders came directly from the board half an hour ago. All executive access cards have been temporarily suspended pending the emergency meeting."
Julian had to be escorted up to his own boardroom by security.
When he pushed open the glass doors of the boardroom on the 40th floor, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The ten board members were sitting in silence, their faces grim.
Sitting in the corner was Chloe, looking sharp in a business suit, trying to act like nothing was wrong.
"What is the meaning of this?" Julian demanded, slamming his briefcase on the table. "Why are our credit lines frozen? Who authorized a board meeting without my consent?"
At the head of the conference table, a chair spun around.
Arthur Sterling sat there, flanked by three senior forensic accountants and two federal audit officers.
"I authorized it, Mr. Cross," Arthur said smoothly, tapping a thick leather folder on the table. "On behalf of Helios Capital."
Julian sneered. "Helios Capital is an offshore investment firm! You’re just a corporate lawyer, Sterling. You have no standing here!"
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"On the contrary, Julian," Arthur replied, smiling coldly. "Helios Capital isn't an offshore firm. It is a single-purpose trust created six years ago."
Arthur clicked a button on his remote, and the giant projector screen on the wall lit up.
