Chapter 9 - BLOOD AND GLASS
The next day, the Archer Meridian boardroom was packed. The air hummed with nervous energy. Arthur Cross sat at the head of the table, looking smug despite the events of the previous night, confident his lawyers could spin the narrative.
Nathan walked in, flanked by corporate security and Claire, who carried a sleek leather briefcase.
“This meeting is unconstitutional,” Arthur immediately barked.
Nathan ignored him, connecting his tablet to the main screen. “Ladies and gentlemen of the board. Today, we are not voting on my removal. We are voting on the immediate termination and criminal prosecution of Arthur Cross.”
Documents flashed onto the screen: the offshore accounts, the purchase of the poison, and finally, the high-resolution scans of Silas Bennett’s original contract. The boardroom erupted into shouts.
Realizing he was cornered, Arthur snapped. He lunged across the table toward Nathan with a hidden pocketknife. It was a desperate, suicidal move.
Claire was faster. She vaulted onto the mahogany table, intercepting Arthur’s arm. With a swift, twisting motion, she disarmed him and pinned him to the table, her knee resting lightly but firmly against his spine.
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“Stillwater teaches us to leave an attacker a path to dignity,” Claire said softly into Arthur’s ear. “But for you, I’ll make an exception.”
The police stormed the boardroom moments later, dragging Arthur and a hysterical Vivienne away in handcuffs. The nightmare was over.
