Chapter 4 - THE BOARDROOM BETRAYAL
Arthur’s phone vibrated violently. He looked down at the screen.
It was an emergency alert from his home security system.
ALERT: Security Breach at Pembroke House. Library Vault Accessed.
Arthur’s breath hitched. "What did you do?"
"You think this was about a petty lawsuit, Arthur?" Julian whispered, stepping close so only Arthur could hear. "While you were playing savior to this pathetic family, my associates were cleaning out your private safe. The real prize isn't your company. It’s the physical ledger of your grandfather's secret trust fund. The bearer bonds worth three billion dollars. By tomorrow morning, Pembroke Enterprises will be bankrupt, and I will be on a flight to a country with no extradition. Enjoy your charity work, old man."
Julian turned on his heel and sprinted out of the hospital lobby before Arthur's security could stop him.
"Marcus!" Arthur shouted to his head of security. "Get to the estate now!"
"I'm already on it, sir," Marcus said over the radio, but his voice sounded distant, drowned out by static.
Arthur turned to Samuel, his mind racing. He had to get back to the estate, but he couldn't leave them here. "Samuel, your daughter Lily is being moved to the VIP cardiac suite as we speak. The best surgeons in the country are flying in. I've taken care of everything."
Samuel fell to his knees, clutching Arthur’s hand. "Thank you... thank you, Mr. Pembroke!"
"No, thank you, Samuel. You showed me what honor looks like," Arthur said, pulling him up. "But now, I need you to do something for me. I need you and Theo to come with me. The board of directors is going to try to destroy me tonight, and I need the only two honest men in Boston by my side."
They piled into the limousine, speeding back toward the dark hill where Pembroke House sat. The snow was falling heavier now, turning the road into a treacherous sheet of white ice.
As they drove, Theo sat next to Arthur. The young boy reached out and touched Arthur’s hand. "Are you scared, Grandpa?"
Arthur looked at the young boy. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel the cold armor of his wealth. He felt vulnerable. He felt human.
"Yes, Theo," Arthur whispered. "I am. But I'm not alone anymore."
When they arrived at the gates of Pembroke House, the iron gates were wide open. The security guards were gone.
The front doors of the massive mansion were unlocked.
Arthur, Samuel, and Theo stepped into the grand foyer. The portraits of Arthur’s ancestors seemed to stare down with cold mockery.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from the top of the grand staircase.
"You're too late, Arthur."
It wasn't Julian.
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It was Marcus, Arthur’s trusted head of security, holding a black leather case containing the three billion dollars in bearer bonds.
HOOK / CLIFFHANGER: Marcus drew a silenced pistol from his jacket and aimed it straight at Arthur's chest. "Julian was just my distraction. I've served you for twenty years, Arthur. Did you really think I didn't have a price?"
