Chapter 25 - A Desperate Move
|
Cornered, terrified, and facing the absolute destruction of his entire life, Richard resorted to the only tactic he had ever truly known: vicious, desperate threats.
He stopped pacing and slammed both of his hands violently down onto Emily’s desk, leaning aggressively over her in a pathetic attempt to physically intimidate her.
"You listen to me, you arrogant bitch," Richard hissed, his face twisted in ugly, desperate fury. "If you take this file to the FBI, I swear to God, I will take you down with me. I have millions of dollars hidden in offshore accounts. I will hire the most vicious lawyers on the planet. I will drag your pristine hospital through years of agonizing litigation. I will sue for full custody of Arthur. I will make your life a living, breathing hell!"
Ten years ago, that exact threat would have made Emily cower in fear. It would have paralyzed her. But as she looked up at the sweating, panicked man looming over her desk, she felt absolutely nothing but cold, profound disgust.
She did not flinch. She did not break eye contact.
Emily slowly reached over and pressed a small button on her desk console.
The heavy doors to her office instantly swung open. Marcus, the head of her legal department, stepped firmly into the room, followed closely by two towering, broad-shouldered hospital security guards.
"Are you quite finished throwing your temper tantrum, Richard?" Emily asked mildly, leaning comfortably back in her executive chair.
Richard froze, looking frantically from Emily, to the fierce lawyers, to the heavily armed security guards. He realized, with crushing finality, that he had absolutely zero power in this room.
"My legal team has already officially transmitted the encrypted files directly to the Director of the FBI field office, the SEC, and the Department of Justice," Emily informed him smoothly, completely shattering his final delusion of escape. "I didn't call you here to blackmail you, Richard. I called you here to tell you that you are finished."
May you like
Emily stood up, her posture regal and entirely untouchable.
"Escort Mr. Sterling off the premises," Emily ordered the security guards. "If he ever steps foot on Saint Claire property again, have him arrested for trespassing."
