The next morning arrived with clear sky sunlight streaming through the big windows.
Arthur sat at the head of his grand conference table in downtown city center.
Director Vance walked into the room accompanied by his chief manager, Mr. Miller.
Mr. Miller carried a thick leather briefcase and looked very nervous and sweaty.
Arthur: Sit down, gentlemen. We have serious financial matters to discuss today.
Director Vance: Mr. Sterling, we brought our standard labor contract file for you.
Arthur took the file folder and tossed it aside onto the polished table.
Arthur: I do not want marketing brochures. I want the real ledger books.
Mr. Miller: The ledgers are confidential internal company property, Mr. Sterling, sir.
Arthur: Not when my company funds your entire operational payroll every single month.
Arthur opened his laptop computer and turned the bright screen toward both men.
Arthur: This wire transfer log shows one hundred thousand dollars sent this year.
Director Vance: That money covers twenty different staff members across four local estates.
Arthur: I spoke with three other homeowner clients early this morning, Vance.
Mr. Miller wiped his forehead with a white cloth handkerchief very quickly now.
Arthur: Their workers are also receiving less than half of their intended wages.
Mr. Miller: There must be a computer technical error in the accounting program.
Arthur: A technical error that routes leftover cash into an offshore personal account?
Director Vance turned his head slowly to glare at his nervous chief manager.
Director Vance: Miller, what is this man talking about right now, explain yourself.
Mr. Miller: He is lying to destroy our company business reputation in town.
Arthur tapped a key on his keyboard to open an official legal file.
Arthur: My corporate lawyers filed a formal emergency fraud audit an hour ago.
Mr. Miller stood up so fast his heavy leather chair tumbled backward loudly.
Mr. Miller: You have no right to investigate my private personal financial transactions.
Arthur: When you steal from vulnerable workers, I make it my personal right.