Chapter 8 - The Clean Sweep
Three months later.
The morning sun filtered brightly through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Crestview Global’s new headquarters in the downtown financial district.
The room smelled of fresh paint, polished walnut, and fresh cut flowers.
On the mahogany desk sat a golden award from the City Commerce Association:
"EXCELLENCE IN MUNICIPAL DESIGN AND INFRASTRUCTURE - AWARDED TO EMILY VANCE."
Emily sat behind her desk, wearing an elegant emerald-green silk blouse, reviewing the architectural blueprints for the city’s first zero-emission transit hub. She was now the Chief Lead Designer for Crestview’s expansion division.
Her phone chimed with a news notification.
I walked into her office carrying two hot cups of artisanal coffee, setting one on her desk.
"Did you see the morning news?" I asked with a smile.
"I just opened the article," Emily said, turning her laptop screen so I could see.
"WHITMORE GROUP FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY"
"MARGARET WHITMORE REMOVED FROM ALL CHARITABLE BOARDS FOLLOWING FINANCIAL AUDIT"
After losing the municipal transit contract and suffering the public exposure of their legal breaches, the Whitmore Group had suffered a catastrophic collapse. Their primary investors pulled out, their board of directors revolted, and Richard Whitmore had officially filed for divorce from Margaret after thirty years of marriage.
Daniel had been forced to sell his luxury sports car and move into a small rental apartment on the outskirts of the city, taking an entry-level position at an insurance agency.
"Do you feel sad for them?" I asked gently, leaning against the edge of her desk.
Emily looked at the headline for a long moment. Then, she slowly closed the laptop screen.
"No," Emily said truthfully, looking up at me with bright, clear eyes. "I don't feel sad, and I don't feel bitter. They spent their whole lives trying to make other people feel small so they could feel big. They built their house on arrogance, and it finally collapsed."
She took a sip of her hot coffee, leaning back in her leather executive chair.
"I just feel free."
Just then, her office door knocked softly.
Maya walked in, holding a clipboard and a massive bouquet of white lilies.
"Delivery for the Chief Lead Designer," Maya grinned, setting the flowers on the corner table. "From the engineering team at the transit authority. They said congratulations on closing Phase One ahead of schedule."
May you like
"They're beautiful," Emily smiled, walking over to smell the flowers.
"Oh, and Emily?" Maya added, pulling a small silver box from her coat pocket. "The jeweler sent this back from the restyling shop."
