Chapter 9 - The Dismantling
The execution was methodical and ruthless.
On Monday morning, Clara summoned Marcus to the top-floor corner office—an office that had been completely redesigned in black marble and gold. Marcus walked in, his knees trembling.
"Clara... I... I don't understand," he stammered, looking at the woman sitting behind the massive desk.
"It's Ms. Vanguard," Clara corrected him without looking up from her tablet.
"Clara, please. Why didn't you tell me? If I had known—"
"If you had known I was a billionaire, you would have stayed," Clara interrupted, finally locking eyes with him. "That is exactly why I didn't tell you. I wanted to see who you truly were, Marcus. And when you thought I had nothing, you threw me away like garbage."
She pressed a button on her desk. "Security, please come up."
Marcus panicked. "You can't fire me! I have a contract! I'm an SVP!"
Clara slid a thick folder across the desk. "Forensic accounting is a hobby of mine. This folder contains undeniable proof of the offshore accounts you used to hide marital assets during our divorce, as well as the corporate funds you embezzled to buy Chloe Sterling her Cartier bracelets. You aren't just fired, Marcus. You're ruined."
Two massive security guards entered the office.
"Take his badge," Clara ordered. "And escort Mr. Hayes out of my building."
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As Marcus was dragged out of the lobby, he saw Chloe packing her desk in a frenzy. He reached out to her. "Chloe! Help me!"
Chloe looked at him with sheer disgust. "You lied to me! You told me you were rich. You're a fraud, Marcus, and you just made me an enemy of the Vanguards. We are done."
