Chapter 4 - The Price of Arrogance
Pandemonium erupted in the boardroom. Executives shouted, phones were pulled out, and Richard Vance looked like he was about to have a heart attack.
"You can't do this!" Richard slammed his fist on the table. "We have contracts! We have a grace period on our loans!"
"You had a grace period," Toby corrected, flipping open the folder. "Until clause 4B was violated. A morality and public standing clause. Your son's little stunt in the parking garage yesterday—assaulting a major creditor, attempting to bypass security, and threatening an executive—voided the agreement."
Marcus turned pale. "You set me up."
"I simply went for a walk in one of the properties I own, wearing clothes I like," Toby replied smoothly. "You chose to act like a tyrant. I just gave you the rope, Marcus. You tied the knot yourself."
Toby stood up, buttoning his suit jacket. "The transition team will be here in an hour. Richard, your severance package is in the folder. Marcus... you get nothing."
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"I'll kill you," Marcus hissed, his fists balled so tightly his knuckles were white. "You think you can just stroll in here and take my life? You don't know the people I know."
Toby paused at the door, glancing over his shoulder with eyes like shattered ice. "I welcome the challenge, Marcus. But remember, when you strike at a king, you'd better not miss."
