Chapter 15
Chapter 15: The Ultimatum
The following morning, the conference room at Carter Global Headquarters was bathed in harsh, fluorescent light. Richard sat at the head of the massive glass table, dressed in a flawless charcoal suit. To anyone else, he looked completely normal—the picture of corporate power. But Arthur, sitting beside him, could see the absolute lack of warmth in his eyes.
The door opened, and Victoria entered, accompanied by a frantic-looking attorney she had hired overnight. She looked exhausted, her face hidden behind oversized sunglasses, which she refused to remove.
"Richard, please," she began as she sat down, but Arthur cut her off immediately.
"Mrs. Carter, please direct all communication to me," Arthur said, sliding a thick document across the glass table. "This is the settlement agreement. We advise you and your counsel to review it very carefully."
Victoria’s lawyer picked up the document, his eyes scanning the pages quickly. Within seconds, his face grew pale. "This is ridiculous! This isn't a settlement; this is an execution! You are offering her a pittance. No real estate, no shares, no alimony beyond a baseline survival fund for five years? She helped build your life, Mr. Carter!"
"She also helped empty my corporate accounts," Richard spoke for the first time, his voice low and vibrating with menace. He slid a second folder across the table. "Inside you will find the forensic audit of my secondary accounts. Your client has misappropriated over three hundred thousand dollars of corporate funds over the last eighteen months to finance the lifestyle of her paramour."
Victoria froze behind her sunglasses.
"Furthermore," Arthur continued seamlessly, "we have complete security footage of Mr. Ross entering and exiting the private residence over a period of twelve months, confirming the timeline of the infidelity. If you do not sign this agreement by 5:00 PM today, we will file formal criminal charges for grand larceny and corporate embezzlement. The press will receive copies of all evidence tomorrow morning."
"Richard, you wouldn't," Victoria gasped, pulling her sunglasses off. Her eyes were wide with terror. "The scandal... it would hurt the company. It would hurt Emma!"
"Emma is the one who wanted this truth revealed, Victoria," Richard said, leaning forward, his eyes locking onto hers with terrifying intensity. "And as for the company, the market adapts to scandal. You, however, will not adapt well to a women's correctional facility. I assure you."
Victoria’s attorney leaned over, whispering urgently into her ear. "Victoria, if they have these financial records, you are facing serious prison time. No judge will award you assets if you stole from his company to pay a lover. This is a trap, but it's a trap we can't escape. You have to sign."
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Victoria looked at the pen resting on the glass table. It felt heavier than a mountain. She looked at Richard, searching for any trace of the man who used to hold her hand when she was scared, the man who had promised to love her forever. There was nothing left but ice.
With a trembling hand, she picked up the pen.
