Chapter 3 - The Boardroom Ambush
While Michael and Hattie were suffocating in the mid-day heat, I was sitting in the executive boardroom on the top floor of the Sterling Corporate Tower.
My mother, Donna, was resting peacefully at a high-end spa resort in Scottsdale, accompanied by a private security detail I had hired to ensure her safety. She was being pampered, treated with the respect and honor she deserved after a lifetime of hard work in Montana.
I wore an immaculate burgundy tailored pantsuit, my hair pinned back, my face displaying no sign of the weak, meek woman Michael thought he had conquered.
My assistant, Sarah, walked in and placed a tablet in front of me.
“Ms. Vance-Sterling, Michael Coleman has called the corporate line fourteen times in the last hour. His supervisor at his architecture firm, Mr. Harrison, is also on line two.”
I picked up the phone. “Put Harrison through.”
“Penelope!” Richard Harrison, the senior partner at Apex Architectural Design, spoke hurriedly. “Thank goodness you answered. Michael just burst into my office looking like a lunatic! He’s demanding an advance on his annual bonus and yelling about legal action against Sterling Development. What on earth is happening?”
Apex Architecture was one of the primary subcontractors working on Sterling’s massive $200 million commercial project in North Phoenix. Michael had obtained his position as design manager at Apex largely because of my quiet recommendation three years ago—though he always bragged to his mother that he got the job purely on his brilliant talent.
“Richard,” I said calmly, my voice resonating with absolute executive authority. “Michael Coleman is currently under investigation for domestic violence and assault. A temporary restraining order has been issued against him. As the Legal Director and Majority Shareholder of Sterling Development, I am informing you that Sterling is exercising Clause 8 of our master contract with Apex Architecture.”
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line.
“Clause 8? The character and reputation breach clause?” Richard gasped.
“Precisely,” I replied coldly. “If Michael Coleman remains employed at Apex Architecture by 5:00 PM today, Sterling Development will immediately terminate all contracts with Apex and initiate a audit of your firm’s design expenses.”
“Consider him fired,” Richard said without a second of hesitation. “I am revoking his access card right now. Penelope, I am so sorry... we had no idea.”
“Thank you, Richard. Good day.”
Ten minutes later, inside the offices of Apex Architecture, Michael was pacing back and forth in the human resources department, pounding his fist on the counter.
“I am the lead design manager on the Sterling Project!” Michael shouted at the HR Director. “You can’t deny me an emergency loan! I need $20,000 immediately to pay for legal defense and hotel accommodations!”
Suddenly, two company security guards stepped into the room. Behind them walked Richard Harrison, his face thunderous.
“Michael,” Richard said sternly, holding an envelope. “Collect your belongings from your desk immediately.”
Michael stared at his boss, confused. “What? Richard, what are you talking about? I have a client meeting in an hour!”
“You don't work here anymore, Michael,” Richard said coldly, throwing the termination letter onto the desk. “You are fired for gross misconduct and violating the executive code of ethics.”
“You can’t fire me!” Michael screamed, his face turning bright red. “I made this firm! I brought in the Sterling Development contract!”
Richard laughed bitterly. “You foolish boy. You didn't bring in Sterling. Sterling brought you in because your wife happens to own the entire company! And now that you’ve managed to abuse her and her mother, you’ve destroyed your career and nearly destroyed this firm.”
Michael felt as if the air had been sucked out of his lungs. “What... what did you say?”
“Penelope Vance-Sterling is the Majority Shareholder of Sterling Development,” Richard sneered, looking at Michael with absolute contempt. “She built that company with her family long before she met a arrogant, incompetent leech like you. You were living off her shadow, Michael. And now, you’re nothing.”
The security guards grabbed Michael by his arms and dragged him out of the building, tossing his personal desk box onto the pavement outside.
In less than six hours, Michael Coleman had lost his luxury home, his luxury car, his reputation, and his job. He stood on the busy street corner, staring at his phone, as a push notification popped up from his banking app:
ALERT: Your joint and personal accounts have been frozen pursuant to Court Order #88492.
At the same time, a police cruiser pulled up next to the curb where Hattie was waiting with their luggage. Two officers stepped out with handcuffs in hand.
“Hattie Coleman?”
Hattie turned pale. “Yes?”
“You are under arrest for felony elder abuse, battery, and assault. You have the right to remain silent...”
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As the handcuffs clicked around Hattie’s wrists, her loud, arrogant screams filled the street, echoing off the high-rise buildings where she had once strutted like royalty. Michael could only watch in horror as his mother was shoved into the back of a police car.
The nightmare for them was only just beginning.
