Chapter 4 - The Fall of the House of Kensington
Hook: When you build your house on another person's land, don't be surprised when they take back the dirt.
“Get out,” I said.
The boardroom was empty now, save for Callahan, Brier, Thomas, and myself. The directors had scurried out like rats from a sinking ship, leaving the trio standing in the wreckage of their ambition.
Callahan looked at me, his eyes wild with a mixture of rage and desperation. “You think you’ve won, Saraphina? You think you can just erase me? I made this company relevant! Before me, the Vance Group was just an old-money relic!”
“Before you, the Vance Group was a respected institution with zero debt and a pristine reputation,” I countered, standing up from my chair. “You tried to turn it into a personal playground for your ego. You wanted the crown, Callahan, but you forgot that you never owned the kingdom.”
“We will sue,” Thomas Kensington growled, his voice trembling with anger. “I will tie you up in litigation for the next decade. You will spend more on legal fees than this company is worth.”
“With what money, Thomas?” I asked, leaning against the edge of the mahogany table. “Your primary creditor is Maritime Union Bank. I bought forty percent of their outstanding debt packages three hours ago. If you file a single motion against me, I will call in your loans. Your firm will be bankrupt before the weekend.”
Thomas stared at me, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. He turned his head slowly to look at Callahan, then at his daughter. The realization that he had risked his entire empire for a son-in-law who was now a broke, unemployed pariah was written in every line of his aging face.
“You lied to me,” Thomas whispered, looking at Callahan. “You told me you had the board secured. You told me she was weak.”
“She was!” Callahan yelled, pointing a finger at me. “She spent years doing whatever I wanted! She took the blame for everything! She—!”
“She was protecting her family’s legacy,” I interrupted, stepping closer to him. “And she was waiting for you to prove exactly who you were. I wanted to believe you were a partner, Callahan. But you were just a parasite. And parasites are meant to be purged.”
Brier began to cry, thick tears rolling down her cheeks, smudging her expensive makeup. “Callahan, do something! What about our baby? What about the apartment? What about my father’s company?”
“Your apartment?” I asked, tilting my head. “The loft on Mercer Street? That’s a Vance Group corporate property, too. Security is currently packing your things into boxes. They’ll be delivered to your father’s office by five o’clock. I suggest you find a nice, modest rental in New Jersey. The commute is lovely.”
“You’re a monster,” Brier hissed, her face contorting with hatred.
“No,” I said softly. “I’m a businesswoman. And I’m finally running my own life.”
I turned my back on them, looking out the massive glass windows at the city below. “Arthur, please show our guests out. If they refuse to leave, have security escort them through the front lobby. Let’s make sure the press gets a good photo of the exit.”
“Right away, Ms. Vance,” Arthur said, opening the door with a polite, razor-sharp smile.
Callahan didn’t move for a long moment. I could feel his eyes burning into my back, hot with a useless, impotent rage. But he had no moves left to play. No cards, no capital, no charm.
Finally, I heard his heavy, dragging footsteps walk out of the room, followed by the frantic clicking of Brier’s heels and Thomas Kensington’s heavy, defeated sighs.
The door clicked shut.
I closed my eyes, letting the silence of the empty boardroom wash over me.
May you like
It was over.
Or so I thought.
