Chapter 14 - The Final Boardroom
The fountain pen slipped from Henderson’s trembling fingers and rolled across the mahogany table, coming to a stop against the edge of a silver water pitcher. The remaining two board members quickly grabbed their own pens, hastily signing their resignations without uttering a single word of protest. They knew when a game was irrevocably lost. Within thirty seconds, the three men were standing up, grabbing their expensive wool overcoats, and practically sprinting out of the boardroom toward the private elevators.
Agent Miller stepped inside the room as the elevator doors chimed in the distance, holding a small manila envelope in his hand.
"The offshore accounts in the Caymans have been successfully frozen, Mr. Vance," Miller reported, handing the envelope to Arthur. "All assets have been legally transferred back to the primary family trust. Julian is currently awaiting arraignment in federal court with no option for bail."
Arthur slid the envelope into his inside suit pocket without looking at it. He walked back over to the expansive window, watching the tiny figures of the disgraced executives scurrying out of the hotel lobby down below like ants abandoning a sinking log.
"Thank you, Agent Miller," Arthur said quietly. "Your department's discretion has been exemplary."
Rocco walked up beside his brother, looking out over the sprawling Chicago harbor where several massive container ships bearing the Vance Maritime logo sat anchored against the grey morning tide.
"The empire is back where it belongs, Arthur," Rocco said, his scarred face relaxing into a rare, genuine smile. "Every ledger is clean. Every debt is settled. The board is ours again."
Arthur turned his head slightly, his weathered eyes reflecting the bright, cold light of the winter sun.
"An empire is only as strong as its foundation, Rocco," Arthur murmured, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the single silver quarter Lily had handed back to him in the lobby. "And today, we finally have someone worthy of inheriting it."
Rocco nodded slowly, his expression turning thoughtful.
"Sarah and Lily are finishing packing up the Oak Street house," Rocco mentioned casually. "Sarah still thinks we're going to lock ourselves away in this corporate cage until we die."
Arthur flipped the quarter in the air, catching it neatly in his palm with a sharp metallic snap.
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"Then it's a good thing we're moving out of the corporate cage," Arthur declared, buttoning his black suit jacket as he turned toward the boardroom doors. "Come on, Rocco. We have a little girl to take to breakfast."
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