Chapter 6 - The Ledger of Greed
“Arthur,” Alexander commanded, not breaking eye contact with the petrified manager.
“Yes, Chairman?”
“Call Commissioner O’Reilly at the Chicago Central Precinct. Inform him that the Sterling Group is pressing immediate criminal charges for grand larceny, interstate wire fraud, and systematic corporate embezzlement against Rachel Vance.”
“NO! PLEASE!” Rachel dropped to her knees, completely abandoning any remaining shred of pride. She reached out, trying to grab the hem of Alexander’s worn coat, but the two executive security officers instantly stepped in between, blocking her hands with iron-grip efficiency.
“Mr. Sterling, I will give it all back! Every penny! I’ll sell my apartment! I’ll sell my car! Please don’t send me to prison! My career... my reputation... I will be ruined!”
Alexander looked down at her with cold indifference.
“When Emily was on her knees gathering her money from the floor,” Alexander said, his voice echoing through the silent restaurant, “did you care about her dignity? Did you care about her survival? You took pleasure in her tears. Now, you will taste your own.”
Alexander turned toward the entrance. “Marcus.”
The giant security guard snapped to attention, sweating nervously. “Y-Yes, sir?”
“Escort Miss Vance to her office. Stand outside the door. Ensure she touches nothing—no files, no hard drives, no personal belongings. If she attempts to leave the building before the police cruisers arrive, detain her.”
Marcus didn't hesitate for a single second. The hierarchy had been restored, and he knew who the true master was.
“Understood, Mr. Sterling,” Marcus said firmly. He walked over to Rachel, took her by the upper arm, and hauled her up from the floor.
“Get your hands off me!” Rachel screamed, flailing wildly, her mascara running down her cheeks in black, grotesque streaks. “You are all insane! I built this place! This restaurant is nothing without me! You can’t do this to me! Do you hear me? YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME!”
Her hysterical shrieks echoed down the hallway toward the executive suites until the heavy mahogany door clicked shut behind her, cutting off the noise like an iron curtain.
The dining room remained in stunned, breathless silence.
Alexander turned back toward the customers. His eyes swept across the tables of wealthy patrons who had sat idly by, watching an innocent girl get torn apart for their amusement.
“Dinner is concluded for this evening,” Alexander announced calmly. “Your bills are comped. Every single one of you may leave. Now.”
There was no debate. There was no hesitation.
The city’s most powerful elite grabbed their coats, slipped out of their booths, and hurried toward the exits like chastised schoolboys caught in a shameful act. Within three minutes, the grand dining hall of *Le Miroir* was completely empty of patrons.
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Only the kitchen staff, the bussers, Arthur, the security team, Emily, and Alexander remained under the shimmering light of the chandeliers.
***
