Chapter 9 - The Ultimatum
I walked confidently into the boardroom, completely ignoring the weapons aimed at my head.
Jack followed closely behind me, his hand resting near his own concealed weapon.
"Mom, run!" David cried out, genuine terror finally breaking through his arrogant facade.
"I am not running anymore," I stated firmly, locking eyes with the cartel boss.
"You have a lot of nerve walking in here, Eleanor," the clerk said, amused.
"I have exactly what you want," I told him without flinching.
I pulled Jack's tablet from my bag and slid it across the mahogany table.
"What is this?" the boss asked, looking at the screen.
"My son doesn't have your five million dollars, but his attorney, Robert, does," I explained.
Jack had spent the car ride hacking into Robert's hidden offshore accounts.
Robert had been skimming off the top of David's laundering scheme for months.
The clerk tapped the screen, verifying the routing numbers and the massive balance.
"I can authorize the transfer of ten million dollars to your account right now," I offered.
"That covers the debt and a penalty for your inconvenience," I added smoothly.
The boss looked at the screen, then looked back at me with newfound respect.
"Transfer the money," he commanded his armed guards.
A tense minute passed in absolute silence as the digital funds moved across the globe.
"The transaction is complete," one of the guards confirmed.
The boss smiled and nodded in satisfaction.
He picked up his silver revolver from the table and held it out toward me.
"Business is business, Eleanor, but your son still disrespected my organization," the boss said softly.
He pressed the heavy gun directly into my trembling hand.
"I am giving you sixty seconds to decide if your treacherous son lives or dies," he whispered.
May you like
David stared at me, tears streaming down his bruised face as he realized his life was entirely in my hands.
"Please, Mom, I am so sorry," David begged, breaking down completely.
