The following morning, Arthur met with his legal team early.
They sat around the large mahogany table in his office.
Thick stacks of financial audit documents covered the entire surface.
The chief investigator slid a black leather folder forward gently.
Investigator: Victoria was not working alone in this scheme.
Arthur: Who else was helping her steal from us?
Investigator: Your former business partner, Marcus Vance, helped her.
Arthur felt a cold chill run straight down his spine.
Marcus was his trusted friend for over fifteen long years.
They had started the logistics company together in a garage.
Arthur could barely process this second shocking deep betrayal today.
Arthur: What proof do you have connecting Marcus Vance?
Investigator: He co-signed the fraudulent trust transfer offshore accounts.
Lawyer: This constitutes criminal corporate conspiracy charges for Marcus.
Arthur gripped the edge of the hard wooden desk tightly.
He realized Victoria was just one part of the puzzle.
Marcus wanted to force Arthur out of the firm entirely.
By draining the family trust fund, they wanted him ruined.
Arthur stood up slowly, determination burning inside his eyes.
He refused to let corrupt people destroy his life work.
Arthur: Call an emergency board meeting for two o'clock.
Lawyer: Marcus will not expect you to have proof.
Arthur: That is exactly why today ends his corporate career.
At two o'clock, Arthur walked into the high corporate boardroom.
The city skyline stretched out through the large tinted windows.
Marcus Vance was already sitting at the head table spot.
He smiled smoothly, oblivious to the coming storm today.
Marcus: Arthur, I heard about Victoria, I am so sorry.
Arthur: Are you really sorry, Marcus, or just nervous?
Marcus: What do you mean by that strange comment?
Arthur tossed the black leather folder directly onto the table.
The folder landed right in front of Marcus's coffee cup.
Marcus opened the folder, his fake smile instantly fading away.
His face went completely pale as he read the signatures.
Arthur: You helped her attempt to rob my innocent daughter.
Marcus: Arthur, please, she tricked me into signing those!
Arthur: You signed five separate wire transfer authorizations Marcus!
Marcus: We can work this out privately without lawyers!
Arthur: You betrayed our friendship and my young child!
Two company security officers walked into the boardroom silently.
Arthur gestured toward Marcus with a calm icy cold gaze.
Arthur: Escort Mr. Vance out of the building immediately.
Marcus: You cannot throw me out of my own company!
Arthur: The board voted unanimously to strip your shares today.
Marcus spluttered helplessly as security grabbed his upper arms.
He was led out past whispering employees in the hallway.
Arthur stood alone in the quiet boardroom, breathing slowly.
He had successfully defended his family firm from total ruin.