Chapter 25 - Betrayal in High Places
Returning urgently to Westchester, Richard convened an emergency board meeting. To his shock, his long-time legal advisor and trusted family friend, Arthur Pendelton, voted in favor of Julian’s buyout proposal.
"Why, Arthur?" Richard asked in a quiet, wounded tone in the empty boardroom.
Arthur avoided Richard's eyes, his hands trembling. "Julian holds my son's medical debts in Europe, Richard. He threatened to ruin my family. I had no choice."
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Instead of reacting with anger, Richard placed a comforting hand on Arthur’s shoulder. "Fear makes monsters of good men, Arthur. But you don't have to carry Julian's chains anymore. Help us set this right."
Moved by Richard’s mercy, Arthur confessed Julian’s master plan: Julian intended to use the stolen Coleman shares to liquidate the charity assets and force the family into public bankruptcy.
