Chapter 9 - The Reckoning
Arthur’s face turned an unhealthy shade of purple as two uniformed NYPD officers, accompanied by building security, entered the boardroom.
"Arthur Montgomery, you are under arrest for corporate fraud, conspiracy to commit extortion, and reckless endangerment," the lead officer stated, stepping forward with handcuffs.
Arthur looked around the table, desperately searching for support from the board members he had bribed and cultivated over the years. Every single one of them turned their heads away, unwilling to be tied to a sinking ship.
As the officers cuffed Arthur’s wrists behind his back, he stopped beside Elias. His eyes were filled with pure venom. "You think you've won, builder?" Arthur spat through gritted teeth. "You don't belong in this world. You'll drag her down with you."
Elias looked Arthur dead in the eye, his expression completely unbothered. "I don't need to belong in your world, Arthur. I build things that last. You just destroy them."
The officers marched Arthur out of the boardroom, leaving a stunned silence in their wake.
Eleanor Vance stood up, clearing her throat. She looked at Camila, then at Elias. "Ms. Montgomery, I move that we formally reject the motion of no confidence and reinstate full executive authority to you immediately, with an additional mandate to clear the board of any lingering corruption."
"Seconded," another board member called out immediately.
"All in favor?" Eleanor asked.
Every hand in the room went up.
Camila let out a long, quiet breath, the weight of years of anxiety finally lifting from her chest. She looked at Elias, her eyes brimming with tears of relief and gratitude. Elias gave her a quiet nod, a soft smile playing on his lips.
That evening, the press conference was held in the lobby of Montgomery Tower. Camila stood behind a podium surrounded by microphones, flanked by her legal team. But this time, she didn't stand alone.
Elias stood slightly behind her, dressed in a simple, well-tailored suit, looking calm and composed.
"I have two announcements today," Camila spoke clearly into the microphones, her voice echoing across the broadcast networks nationwide. "First, Arthur Montgomery has been removed from all corporate roles following evidence of severe financial fraud and illegal activity, which is now in the hands of law enforcement."
She paused, taking a deep breath, and looked back at Elias before turning to the cameras.
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"Second, regarding the recent personal rumors: eight years ago, I met a man named Elias Vance. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were separated. But today, I am proud to state that Elias is the father of my three daughters. He is a man of profound integrity, courage, and honor. We are uniting our family, and moving forward together—not as a story for the tabloids, but as parents dedicated to the love and protection of our children."
The flashbulbs erupted into a blinding storm, but for the first time, Camila didn't flinch. She stepped back, reached out, and took Elias’s hand, locking her fingers with his in front of the entire world.
