Chapter 6 - March of JusticeThe heavy glass doors pushed open once more, but this time, the presence was unmistakable.
Two men in dark suits and windbreakers bearing federal insignia strode into the boardroom, followed by a local precinct inspector. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly from corporate betrayal to a genuine criminal proceeding.
Agent Miller, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a sharp jawline, stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room before landing squarely on Martin Vale.
"Martin Vale?" the agent asked, his voice crisp and official.
Martin didn't move. He sat frozen in his chair, staring blankly at the polished wood.
"Mr. Vale is right here, Agent," Claire said, gesturing smoothly across the table.
Agent Miller nodded respectfully toward Claire. "Thank you, Ms. Hartwell. We’ve intercepted Northstar’s primary communication node in Delaware. Their financial backers are currently being rounded up by federal agents in Boston and New York. The shell company is being dismantled as we speak."
The agent stepped over to Martin, pulling a pair of cold, steel handcuffs from his belt.
"Martin Vale, you are under arrest for wire fraud, corporate identity theft, securities manipulation, and conspiracy to commit grand larceny," Agent Miller recited crisply as he hauled Martin to his feet.
The silver-haired COO offered no resistance. His arms were pulled behind his back, the sharp click-click of the handcuffs echoing loudly against the acoustic panels of the room—a stark, brutal contrast to the celebratory laughter that had filled the same space less than an hour ago.
As the federal agents marched Martin toward the door, he paused for a fraction of a second, casting one last, desperate glance over his shoulder at Claire.
"You'll never survive the board backlash," Martin hissed weakly. "Without Northstar, the Q3 manufacturing contracts will default by Friday. The company will go bankrupt in a month."
Claire didn't flinch. She met his desperate gaze with absolute serenity.
May you like
"My father built this company through two recessions and three labor strikes, Martin," Claire said softly. "We survived because we built things that mattered. You failed because you built nothing at all."
Without another word, the agents shoved Martin through the doors, the heavy glass swinging shut behind them, sealing his fate forever.
