Chapter 4 - Stripped Bare
The spectacle that unfolded outside the Vance estate over the next hour was nothing short of a complete public execution of the family's social standing.
Reporters and local news vans—alerted by rumors of a massive executive shakeup at Vance Enterprises—were already gathering near the wrought-iron gates. As Brendan, Diane, and Jessica were marched down the stone driveway by private security, camera flashes lit up the night sky like lightning.
Brendan tried to cover his face with his jacket, but the security officers made no effort to shield him from the relentless lenses.
“Mr. Vance! Is it true Vance Enterprises has filed for bankruptcy?!”
“Brendan! Were you ousted by the silent board?!”
“Diane Vance! Can you comment on allegations of corporate fraud?!”
Diane was sobbing hysterically, her expensive silk dress stained with mud as she tripped on the gravel driveway. “Get those cameras out of my face! Do you know who I am?! I am Diane Vance!”
“You were Diane Vance,” Arthur’s assistant said coldly from behind, handing her a plastic trash bag containing only her passport and personal medicine. “As of tonight, your bank accounts are frozen pending federal investigation into the three million dollars in personal expenditures you billed to company credit cards over the past two years.”
Meanwhile, inside the mansion, Cassidy stood in the nursery she had quietly decorated over the last few months. The walls were painted a soft sage green, filled with handcrafted wooden toys she had bought with her own modest earnings from her freelance writing job.
Arthur walked in, holding a steaming cup of herbal tea. He handed it to her gently.
“The board has convened an emergency virtual summit,” Arthur reported. “Every executive who participated in or turned a blind eye to Brendan’s financial mismanagement has been suspended without pay. The public statement regarding your assumption of direct control as CEO and Chairwoman will be released at 8:00 AM tomorrow.”
Cassidy took a slow sip of the tea, feeling the warmth spread through her body. “And Brendan’s personal assets?”
“All frozen,” Arthur replied. “His sports cars were leased through the company; tow trucks are arriving now to impound them. His private credit cards are deactivated. By morning, he won't be able to buy a cup of coffee.”
Cassidy touched her belly. “I want a complete audit of every contract signed during his tenure. I know he was skimming off the supply chain contracts in Asia.”
Arthur smiled slightly, impressed as always by her sharp instinct. “Already underway, Ma'am. But... if I may ask... are you alright?”
May you like
Cassidy turned toward the large bay window, watching Brendan down at the gate, frantically arguing with a taxi driver who was refusing to take him without a working credit card.
“I’m better than alright, Arthur,” she said softly. “For three years, I thought I was losing my mind trying to earn their respect. Now I realize I was just trying to buy gold from people who only knew how to sell dirt.”
