Chapter 8 - The Cracks in the Facade
By noon, the emergency board meeting had concluded with devastating efficiency.
The board voted six to one to immediately terminate Adrian Hollis as Chief Executive Officer for cause, stripping him of all executive perks, deferred stock options, and company-provided legal indemnification.
His thirty percent minority share was frozen under a court-ordered constructive trust pending the outcome of the forensic embezzlement audit.
Down in the underground executive garage, Adrian and Paige stood near his private sports car, their voices rising in furious argument.
"You told me she was completely detached from the business!" Paige screamed, her composure entirely shattered.
"You promised me the company was legally bulletproof!"
"Keep your voice down, Paige!" Adrian hissed, frantically looking around the empty concrete parking structure.
"Russell is filing an interlocutory appeal this afternoon."
"We just need to stall until we can access the offshore capital."
"What offshore capital, Adrian?" Paige yelled, stepping into his face.
"The bank in Grand Cayman called my personal phone an hour ago!"
"All three accounts were frozen under a worldwide Mareva injunction issued by a federal judge on behalf of the Lane Trust!"
Adrian stepped back as if he had been struck across the face.
"That's impossible," Adrian whispered.
"Nobody knew about those accounts except you and me."
"Arthur Sterling knew," Paige retorted bitterly, tears of anger ruining her makeup.
"He tracked the routing numbers through the transit payment gateway."
"My name is on two of those incorporation charters, Adrian!"
"Do you understand what that means?"
"I am facing wire fraud and corporate conspiracy charges because of your greed!"
Before Adrian could reply, a sleek sedan pulled into the adjacent bay.
Two federal investigators in dark suits stepped out, flashing identification badges that glinted under the fluorescent garage lights.
"Mr. Adrian Hollis? Ms. Paige Ellison?" the lead agent inquired in a calm, authoritative voice.
"We have a subpoena issued by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia."
"You are both required to surrender your passports and appear for preliminary depositions on Friday morning."
Paige buried her face in her hands and began to sob hysterically.
May you like
Adrian stood motionless, the car keys slipping from his trembling fingers and ringing sharply against the oil-stained concrete.
The empire he had built on stolen foundations was collapsing around him, piece by agonizing piece.
