Chapter 13 - The Stripping of Power
Daniel stared at the paperwork in total disbelief.
"You can't do this! I built this company!"
"You ran a company funded entirely by Whitmore capital," Arthur corrected smoothly. "And as of six a.m., every loan guarantee has been called in. The firm is entering emergency liquidation."
At that moment, Daniel’s personal phone buzzed on the desk.
He snatched it up, seeing Celeste Arden’s name on the screen.
He answered desperately. "Celeste! Thank God. We need to consolidate our assets right now—"
"Don't ever call this number again, Daniel," Celeste’s voice hissed through the speaker, tight and panicked. "My father’s bank accounts were frozen an hour ago! The board fired him! We are facing total bankruptcy because of you and your pathetic family!"
"Celeste, wait! I did everything for you! I protected you last night!"
"You destroyed us!" she shrieked before slamming the phone down, disconnecting the call permanently.
Daniel dropped the phone onto the desk.
The screen shattered against the polished wood.
He looked around his corner office—the sweeping views of the city, the expensive leather furniture, the awards hanging on the wall.
Everything he had spent six years calculating, lying, and posturing to obtain was vanishing in front of his eyes.
The federal marshal stepped forward, tapping his watch.
"Your ten minutes start now, Mr. Hale."
Daniel collapsed back into his leather chair, buried his face in his hands, and finally wept.
Not out of guilt for his daughter.
May you like
Not out of remorse for his wife.
But out of the crushing, terrifying realization that he was once again a nobody.
