Chapter 6 - The Fall of the Traitor
The boardroom erupted into absolute chaos.
Reporters outside the glass balcony windows began flashing cameras frantically as the final tally was calculated on the giant wall monitors.
William Parker: 52% Voting Majority. Julian Parker: 48%.
The digital screen flashed red, displaying three words in bold white letters: MOTION TO REMOVE EXECUTED.
Julian stood paralyzed, his hands hovering over the table as if trying to physically grab the numbers and pull them back. "No... no! This isn't real! You can't do this to me! I built this financial network!"
"You looted it," William corrected him coldly. "And now, the state prosecutor would like a word with you."
The heavy rear doors of the boardroom clicked open, and four federal agents in dark suits walked in, accompanied by two uniformed police officers.
"Julian Parker?" the lead agent stated, pulling out a pair of steel handcuffs. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, corporate embezzlement, financial fraud, and witness intimidation. You have the right to remain silent."
"Get your hands off me!" Julian screamed, struggling wildly as the cuffs clicked around his wrists. "William! You can't do this! We’re blood! We’re family!"
William stood motionless, watching his cousin being pushed toward the door. "Family isn't about blood, Julian. It’s about who stands beside you when the world goes dark. You chose to be a predator. Now you can live with the consequences."
As Julian was dragged out of the room, his desperate cries fading down the hallway, the remaining board members stood up one by one, bursting into thunderous, respectful applause for William, Martha, and little Emma.
Emma looked down at the gold crest on the legal document in her hands. One day ago, she was standing in the cold outside a restaurant, begging for leftover chicken to keep her baby brother alive. Today, she held the deciding vote in one of the largest corporations in the world.
William walked over to her, dropping to one knee beside her chair. "You did incredible, Emma."
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"I was so scared, Mr. Parker," Emma whispered, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Bravery isn't about not being scared, sweet girl," William said, smiling softly. "It’s about standing up anyway. Now... let’s go home."
