Chapter 6 - The Liquidation
Daniel finally looked up, his face covered in snot and tears. "Mr. Vance... Father... please. I love Vivienne! She’s carrying my son! I didn't know about Chloe’s plan! I swear to God, I didn't know!"
Arthur looked down at him with pure disgust.
"You didn't know?" Arthur asked. "Yet when they accused her, you handed over her bag. When my daughter begged you to protect her, you chose your mother's favor over your wife's dignity. You are not a father, Daniel. You are an errand boy in a tailored suit."
Arthur gestured to the second aide holding a briefcase.
"Greyson Logistics," Arthur stated. "Founded forty years ago by your late father. Currently operating on a revolving credit line of eighty-four million dollars."
Eleanor’s head snapped up. "How do you know that?"
"Because three years ago, when my daughter told me she had fallen in love with an ordinary man from a mid-tier logistics family, I bought that debt," Arthur replied smoothly. "I transferred it through four offshore holding companies. I lowered your interest rates to zero. I personally subsidized your cargo contracts with European shipping lanes so your pathetic son could look like a rising corporate star in front of my daughter."
Daniel gasped, his eyes wide with horror. "You... you funded our expansion?"
"I funded your life, Daniel," I spoke up, stepping out from behind my father.
My voice was steady now. The tears were gone.
"Every luxury car Eleanor leased," I said, pointing at my mother-in-law. "Every designer dress Chloe wore to her country club luncheons. The very venue you are standing in right now—I paid the deposit six months ago from an anonymous trust because you wept to Daniel that your family was three weeks away from defaulting on payroll."
Eleanor’s mouth opened and closed like a dying fish. "No... no, Daniel said the bank granted an extension..."
"I was the bank, Eleanor," I said coldly.
Arthur snapped his fingers.
"As of 7:15 PM this evening, Vance Capital has recalled the eighty-four million dollar note," Arthur announced. "Due immediately. Default notices have already been served to your corporate headquarters. By midnight, federal marshals will seize the Greyson fleet in three ports."
"No!" Eleanor screamed, dropping to her knees beside her son. "You can't do this! That is our entire life’s work! We will be ruined! We will be homeless!"
"You ripped the clothes off my pregnant daughter’s back in front of two hundred people," Arthur replied, his voice chillingly devoid of mercy. "Homelessness is the kindest outcome you will experience."
The aide stepped forward, handing a thick sheaf of legal documents directly to Daniel.
May you like
"Notice of immediate annulment and custody forfeiture," the aide said flatly. "Sign them now, Mr. Greyson. Or the next set of papers served to you will be a criminal indictment for corporate fraud, grand larceny, and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery against an expectant mother."
***
