Chapter 14 - THE FALL OF HENDERSON INDUSTRIES
By noon, federal regulators accompanied by armed marshals descended upon the Manhattan headquarters of Henderson Industries.
Corporate servers were seized, executive offices were padlocked, and stock trading for the company was suspended indefinitely.
Mr. Henderson was photographed being escorted out of his own building by federal agents, his designer suit looking crumpled.
The rapid dismantling of the Henderson conglomerate sent shockwaves through the entire Wall Street financial community.
It served as a brutal, unmistakable warning to any executive who mistook civility for weakness under Charlotte's regime.
Back in her penthouse office, Charlotte watched the news helicopter footage from her window with an expression of calm detachment.
Her secretary, a sharp young American man named Marcus, stepped into the office holding a thick manila folder.
"The Department of Justice has accepted our dossier on corporate corruption, Ms. Valle; the sweep will continue tomorrow," Marcus reported.
"Good. Cleanse every department until not a single trace of unethical practice remains," Charlotte instructed without turning around.
"Understood, ma'am. Also, your father called from Washington; he wants to know if you're attending the congressional dinner," Marcus added.
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"Tell him I have a prior engagement reviewing supply chain logistics in Chicago," Charlotte replied smoothly.
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