Chapter 7 - The Checkmate
"If you turn to page four," Julian addressed the board, ignoring Robert completely, "you will see the undeniable bank records of a Cayman Islands offshore account. Over the last eight years, forty-two million dollars of Sterling Holdings capital has been diverted into this account via fraudulent vendor invoices."
The board members gasped, flipping through the pages.
"This is a lie! A fabrication!" Robert shouted, standing up. "He's a broke construction worker trying to steal your money!"
"Actually, Robert," Julian said, pulling a tablet from his briefcase, "the holding company that owns the account is registered to a Miss Elena Vance. Your mistress. Who, coincidentally, purchased a five-million-dollar yacht last week using funds directly traced to our primary steel vendor."
Julian pressed a button on the tablet, projecting an image onto the boardroom screen. It was a photo of Robert and his mistress drinking champagne on the deck of the yacht.
The boardroom erupted into chaos. The Chairman of the Board looked at Robert with absolute disgust.
"You orchestrated a media smear campaign against my son to distract the board from an impending audit," I announced to the room. "I have already forwarded these binders to the FBI's white-collar crime division. They are waiting in the lobby."
Robert looked toward the glass doors. Two federal agents in dark suits were standing on the other side, badges visible on their belts.
Robert's knees buckled. He collapsed back into his expensive leather chair, completely defeated.
May you like
"Motion to remove Robert from the board," the Chairman stated coldly.
It was a unanimous vote.
