Chapter 16 - The Fall of Sterling
"Arthur Sterling, you are under arrest for federal wire fraud, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, and corporate espionage," the prosecutor announced.
Arthur stared at the officers in utter disbelief, shrinking back against the window as if trying to merge with the glass.
"You can't do this to me!" Arthur shrieked as an officer forced his hands behind his back and clicked the cuffs into place.
"I am a managing partner of this firm! I have immunity under the corporate charter!"
"You had immunity," I corrected him calmly, pulling a official board document from my jacket pocket.
"Fifteen minutes ago, our board of directors held an emergency vote over Zoom."
"You were stripped of your shares, your executive position, and your voting rights due to moral turpitude."
"Your forty percent stake in Miller Development has been legally impounded by the federal government."
As the officers dragged Arthur toward the private executive elevator, he turned his tear-stained face back toward me.
"Daniel! Please!" Arthur sobbed pathetically. "We built this together! Don't let them take me to prison!"
"You built your own prison, Arthur," I said, turning my back on him to look out at the stormy city skyline.
"I just closed the door."
The elevator doors slid shut with a soft metallic chime, taking away the last piece of the conspiracy that had almost destroyed my world.
I stood alone in the dark office, taking a deep, long breath of fresh air as the heavy burden lifted from my shoulders.
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My phone chimed in my pocket, displaying a text message from David at the hospital:
Emily is out of surgery. She's resting comfortably, and Noah is eating ice cream in the room. Come home, Dad.
