Chapter 12 - The Serpent in the Suite
The next afternoon, I invited Arthur Pendelton to join me for tea at the quiet private club downtown where my father used to hold his board meetings.
Arthur arrived looking immaculate, his silver hair brushed back, wearing a tailored charcoal suit. He smiled with the warm, patronizing affection of a man who believed he had successfully played the knight in shining armor.
"Claire, my dear," he said, taking a seat across from me and unfolding his linen napkin. "You look radiant. The board is thrilled with the direction of the legacy foundation."
"Thank you, Arthur," I said, pouring his tea with a steady hand. "I owe so much of this smooth transition to your guidance."
"Nonsense. Your father would be immensely proud of how you handled Daniel's mess," Arthur said, taking a slow sip. "Speaking of which, the legal team tells me Daniel's share of the marital estate has been fully frozen. To cover the outstanding liability from his offshore account, the firm may need to buy out your father's fifteen percent voting stock next week."
There it was. The real prize.
"That fifteen percent gives my family the deciding vote on the board, Arthur," I noted softly.
"Of course," Arthur replied, his smile relaxing into something predatory. "But as your trustee, I strongly advise you to sell. If Daniel’s fraud goes to trial, that stock could lose half its value overnight. Sell it to me, Claire. Let me carry the burden for you."
I reached into my handbag, pulled out a laminated copy of the NDA signed by him and Natalie Brooks, and laid it face-up on the tablecloth right next to his teacup.
May you like
Arthur’s smile vanished. The color drained from his face so fast it looked as if his heart had stopped.
"You always did underestimate what I notice, Arthur," I said quietly. "Just like Daniel did."
