My Family Sold Me For $7 Million. I Owned Their Building Chapter 09
The officers dragged Victor away, his legs trailing behind him like wet rope.
Only a handful of stunned shareholders remained in the conference room, along with Diane on the floor and Chloe trembling in the corner.
Daniel walked to the head of the table and cleared his throat.
“Monroe Holdings’ liabilities now exceed twice the value of its assets. Three secured creditors filed an involuntary Chapter 7 petition this morning, and the bankruptcy judge has appointed an interim trustee. Given the arrest of the chief executive and the evidence presented here, the trustee will seek an immediate liquidation order.”
He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.
“This office tower belongs to the Avery Monroe Property Trust. Under the lease’s insolvency clause and a temporary access order signed this morning, control of the premises has reverted to the owner. The building will be secured in thirty minutes. Please collect your personal belongings and leave.”
The minority shareholders exchanged miserable looks and hurried away to clear their offices.
Mr. Lewis crawled out from under the table. He rushed to me, fell to his knees, and clasped his hands.
“Avery, I was wrong. I should never have taken your sack. I served the Monroe family for twenty years. Surely that counts for something. Please don’t dismiss me. I’ll do anything you ask.”
I looked down at him.
“You moved very quickly when you threw my luggage out yesterday.”
Mr. Lewis tore off his gloves and dropped them on the carpet.
“I was blind. I was an old fool.”
“Daniel.”
I did not address the man again.
“Yes?”
“Audit the household accounts. Review every grocery purchase, maintenance invoice, and vendor payment he handled. If he padded a bill or took a kickback, recover it. If he refuses, sue him.”
Mr. Lewis froze. Then he scrambled upright and fled the conference room.
Chloe could no longer hide.
She tottered toward me on three-inch heels, fear filling her eyes.
“Avery, I was wrong. Please forgive me.”
“I’ll sell my bags and jewelry. I’ll pay you back for everything. Just don’t take the house. Don’t make us homeless.”
She reached for my sleeve.
I stepped away.
“The mansion belongs to my trust, not the bankruptcy estate. Your lease was tied to Richard’s employment and ended when he was removed as chief executive. It will be listed for sale tomorrow.”
I looked at the diamond necklace around her throat.
“One more thing. That belonged to Grandpa. He left it to me. Take it off.”
Chloe covered the necklace with both hands. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Mom gave this to me. I’ve worn it for ten years.”
“Take it off, or I’ll report it stolen.”
She saw no mercy in my face.
Her hands shook as she opened the clasp. The diamonds flashed coldly under the lights.
She placed the necklace on the table, covered her face, and ran.
Diane watched her go, then began to laugh. The sound was ragged and terrible.
“We deserve it. Every bit of it.”
She staggered to her feet and followed Chloe into the hall.
At last, the conference room was quiet.
Title jackets still covered the floor.
Daniel knelt and picked them up one by one. He wiped the dust from every cover and arranged them in a polished document case.
“The Monroe mess is almost finished,” he said.
He handed me the case. It felt heavier than it should have.
Eighteen years of cause and consequence lay inside.
“Let’s go.”
I turned toward the doors.