Chapter 11: Cleaning House**
The cleanup of Vance Global was swift, surgical, and uncompromising. By the end of the week, Jonathan Sterling and four senior vice presidents who had aided in the market manipulation scheme were officially indicted on federal charges of insider trading, corporate espionage, and conspiracy.
Julian spent the next three days working eighteen-hour shifts alongside his legal and financial teams, dismantling the corrupt sub-structures that had infected the enterprise during his years of emotional detachment.
Instead of hiring another ruthless Wall Street executive to replace Jonathan, Julian promoted Sarah Chen, a brilliant logistics director who had spent years fighting for worker safety and equitable supply chain management within the company.
On Friday evening, Julian called Marcus into his newly restructured office. The room felt different now; the cold bronze statues had been replaced with framed photographs of Clara and vibrant, messy finger-paintings created by Lily.
"You did good work, Marcus," Julian said, offering a pen and an official contract across the desk. "The board has approved the creation of an independent Department of Corporate Oversight and Ethics. I want you to lead it."
Marcus looked at the document in shock. "Mr. Vance... I was a security guard who nearly went to prison three days ago."
"You were the only man in this building with the courage to do what was right when everyone else was doing what was profitable," Julian said, looking Marcus directly in the eye. "I don't need yes-men anymore. I need people who will challenge me when I lose my way."
Marcus smiled faintly, taking the pen with steady fingers. "Only if Lily approves the promotion, sir."
May you like
Julian laughed—a genuine, warm sound that had not echoed in that office for years. "She already signed off on it over breakfast."
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