An hour later, the quiet executive office on the top floor of the Vance Building was peaceful. Sunlight poured through the large glass windows, showing a clear view of the city skyline. Lily sat happily on a leather couch, eating a chocolate cupcake and coloring in a picture book that Arthur's secretary had brought her.
Arthur sat behind his massive mahogany desk, reviewing the thick stack of financial audit papers Clara had brought up from the safe.
Arthur: Four million dollars... He transferred over four million dollars from our charitable foundation over the last eighteen months.
Clara: He was using fake supplier invoices, Mr. Vance. He created shell companies under his wife's maiden name to hide the trail.
Arthur: If you hadn't caught this, our annual audit next month would have triggered a federal investigation into the company.
Clara: I noticed the discrepancy in the quarterly tax filings three weeks ago. I wanted to make sure I had absolute proof before I brought it to your attention.
Arthur: You saved Vance Enterprises from a massive scandal, Clara. And you did it while Julian was threatening your job every single day.
Clara: I wasn't going to let him ruin everything you built, sir.
Arthur closed the audit binder and set his gold pen down on the desk, leaning back in his chair with a thoughtful smile.
Arthur: As of today, Julian is officially removed from the board of directors. The vice president position is vacant.
Clara: Who will take over the operations until the board meets next month?
Arthur: I want you to take over, Clara.
Clara froze, her eyes widening in total shock as she looked at her boss.
Clara: Me...? Mr. Vance, I'm just an administrative assistant. The board will never approve a promotion like that!
Arthur: You hold a degree in corporate finance, Clara. You know every single account in this company better than Julian ever did. More importantly, you have integrity.
Clara: I don't know what to say, sir... This is a huge responsibility.
Arthur: You protected this company when no one else was paying attention, and you protected your child when a powerful man tried to bully her. That is real leadership, Clara.
Lily looked up from her coloring book, her mouth covered in chocolate frosting as she smiled at her mother.
Lily: Are you gonna be the big boss now, Mommy?
Arthur: She certainly is, Lily. And she's going to have a much bigger office with a desk right next to mine.
Clara: Thank you, Mr. Vance. I won't let you down.
Arthur: I know you won't. Now, let's make sure our legal team has everything they need to ensure Julian Vance spends a very long time behind bars.