Chapter 4 - The Dismissal
Derek’s knees finally buckled slightly. He caught himself against the edge of the mahogany podium, his chest heaving as if he had just run a marathon in freezing weather.
“Clara,” Derek choked out, his voice shifting from terror to desperate, pathetic pleading. He took a staggering step off the dais toward where I stood with Noah, his hands outstretched. “Clara, please. You know how hard I worked. You know I did it for us... for our future... we have a history, Clara. Tell your father it’s a misunderstanding. We can fix this. Please, don't do this to me.”
I didn't move an inch. I didn't feel anger. I didn't feel triumph. I felt only a profound, crystalline emptiness—the exact same emptiness I had felt six months ago when he dropped fifty dollars on the kitchen counter and told me my son’s health wasn't worth his budget.
“You told the room that your life only truly began after you got rid of the weak wife and the troublesome child,” I said, my voice carrying clearly across the quiet ballroom without a microphone. “You were right about one thing, Derek. My life did begin after I got rid of you. But yours is about to end.”
Arthur Vale stepped forward, lifting a crisp, formal document bearing the official corporate letterhead of Vale Meridian Group’s executive board.
“Derek Sterling,” Arthur said, his voice ringing with absolute finality. “Effective immediately, your employment with Vale Meridian Group is terminated for gross corporate malfeasance, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty. All company assets, stock options, retirement accounts, and personal properties purchased with embezzled funds are hereby frozen pending federal asset forfeiture proceedings.”
Arthur dropped the single sheet of paper onto the podium, right beside Derek’s half-empty champagne flute.
The white paper fluttered down like a falling leaf, landing softly against the wood.
“And as for your personal life,” Arthur added coldly, turning his head slightly toward Vanessa, who was now sobbing hysterically into her mother’s shoulder near the front row, “I suggest you consult a very good divorce attorney. Because the shell companies were registered exclusively in your name, Mr. Sterling. Your new bride’s family won't even be able to afford the catering bill by Monday morning.”
Derek stared at the paper as if it were a venomous snake.
Then, the heavy double doors at the back of the foyer swung open once more.
This time, there was no dramatic pause, no suspense. Two Chicago police officers in full uniform walked steadily down the carpeted aisle, their heavy boots clicking against the floor with unhurried authority.
May you like
One of the officers stopped inches from Derek, his hand resting casually against the leather holster at his hip.
“Derek Sterling?” the officer asked, pulling a pair of cold steel handcuffs from his belt. “You’re under arrest for grand larceny, wire fraud, and interstate embezzlement. Turn around and place your hands behind your back.”
