Chapter 3 - The Gathering Storm
By noon, the news of Trevor Miller’s disgraceful termination from Orion Global had sent shockwaves through the city's high-society elite.
Amanda was hysterical. She stormed into her parents' luxurious mansion, slamming her designer handbag onto the marble island in the kitchen.
"Mom! Dad! You have to do something!" Amanda cried, her eyes red from weeping. "Trevor was fired! The board revoked his stock options! They're saying he engaged in corporate embezzlement on the Rogers account!"
Diane Montgomery turned pale, nearly dropping her teacup. "What?! How could Orion Global do that to Trevor? He was supposed to be promoted to Vice President today!"
"It was Rachel!" Amanda shrieked. "I don't know how she did it, Mom! She called someone named Secretary Park last night, and this morning Trevor's entire career is gone!"
Harold Montgomery slammed his newspaper down onto the dining table, his face flushed with rage. "Nonsense! Rachel is a nobody! Her family comes from some small rural town! She’s taking advantage of Nathan’s soft heart! I’ll call the Chairman of First National Bank right now. We have deep connections in this city. I'll make sure Trevor gets placed at another firm."
Harold picked up his desk phone and dialed the direct line of Richard Hayes, the Senior Vice President of First National Bank.
"Richard! Happy Holidays, my friend," Harold said, adopting his most charming, aristocratic tone. "I'm calling about two quick things. First, my son-in-law Trevor needs a quick executive placement, and second, about our fifty-million-dollar construction loan approval—"
"Harold," Richard Hayes interrupted, his voice devoid of its usual warmth. "I was just about to have my secretary call you."
"Ah, excellent! The loan papers are ready for signature?"
"The loan application has been rejected, Harold," Richard said flatly. "Furthermore, under instruction from our parent institution, First National is calling in your existing fifteen-million-dollar line of credit. You have thirty days to repay the principal in full."
Harold’s jaw dropped. "What?! Richard, are you out of your mind?! We’ve been business partners for fifteen years! My company’s liquidity is tied up in the ground construction of the Westside Plaza! If you pull our line of credit now, Montgomery Development goes bankrupt!"
"I'm sorry, Harold," Richard replied coldly. "The directive came directly from the ultimate beneficial owner of the bank. The risk assessment team has flagged your firm as a high-hazard liability due to poor governance and ethical concerns."
"Who?!" Harold screamed, sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Who ordered this?!"
"The Executive Chairman of Vance International," Richard said cleanly. "Good day, Harold."
The phone line cut off with a sharp dial tone.
Harold stood frozen in his study, the receiver dangling from his limp hand.
Diane ran into the room, seeing her husband's pale, trembling posture. "Harold? What did Richard say? When do we get the fifty million?"
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Harold slowly turned his head to look at his wife and daughter.
"We're ruined," he whispered.
