Chapter 15 - The Checkmate
Before Richard could take another step toward the conservatory, the deep, rhythmic thrum of a helicopter blade cut through the morning sky.
A private chopper from Sterling Innovations descended rapidly, kicking up a mini-tornado of dust and leaves before settling onto the estate’s private helipad.
The door swung open, and Maris Klein stepped out, holding a thick leather briefcase high in the air. She marched straight across the lawn, stopping right between Maxwell and Richard.
“You might want to check the addendum on that 1999 proxy, Richard,” Maris said, her voice dripping with lethal calm as she dropped a federal court seal onto the ground near his shoes.
Richard’s smirk faltered for the first time. “What are you talking about?”
“Your father didn't just file a proxy back then,” Maris replied, flipping open her file. “He also signed a financial forfeiture agreement forfeiting all secondary claims in exchange for a one-time multi-million-dollar buyout—which Maxwell paid out in full, in cash, before you were even out of college.”
Richard lunged forward to grab the document, but two federal marshals stepped out from behind the security detail, snapping steel handcuffs onto his wrists before he could touch the paper.
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“Richard Sterling Jr., you are under arrest for corporate extortion, forgery, and attempting to execute fraudulent asset seizure,” the lead marshal announced crisply.
As Richard was dragged away cursing toward the waiting vehicles, Maxwell let out a long, ragged breath, finally feeling the invisible weight of twenty years lift entirely from his shoulders.
