Chapter 5 - The Fall of the Favored Child
Vanessa let out a shriek that echoed down the long executive hallway. ""You can't fire Dad! If you fire Dad, who is running the company? Julian? He builds birdhouses and dining chairs in an abandoned barn! He doesn't know anything about global logistics!""
""Julian holds an honors degree in operations management from Cornell, Vanessa,"" Grandma said coldly, her eyes narrowing. ""A degree he earned while working two jobs, because your father refused to pay his tuition while simultaneously funding your three failed fashion lines in Milan. Julian understands supply chains better than Arthur ever did. But more importantly, Julian has a spine, a brain, and an ounce of human decency—three things you and your father have spent a lifetime lacking.""
Grandma nodded toward the chief of security, a towering man named Harrison who had protected our family for thirty years.
""Harrison, escort Mr. Sterling and his daughter from the premises. If they attempt to access the executive floors again without an appointment, have them detained for corporate trespassing.""
""You can't do this to me!"" Arthur roared, his face turning an alarming shade of crimson as Harrison stepped between him and Grandma. ""I gave thirty years of my life to this firm! Everything I did was to preserve our family standing!""
""Everything you did was to stroke your own fragile vanity,"" Grandma replied without blinking. ""You stole from the pension reserves to finance your yacht club memberships. Did you think I didn't see the audits, Arthur? Did you think I was just an old woman sitting in her garden knitting sweaters? I have watched every dime you moved. You are lucky I am not having the district attorney file criminal embezzlement charges against you this very morning. Do not test my remaining mercy.""
The fight completely left Arthur's body. His shoulders slumped, his chest caving inward as the harsh reality descended upon him. He was ruined. Without his title, without the corporate expense cards, without the Sterling prestige, he was just an aging, heavily indebted man facing total social oblivion.
Vanessa grabbed Arthur’s arm, tears streaming down her cheeks, ruining her expensive makeup. ""Dad, do something! Dad! What about my apartment? What about the credit cards? Tell her she can't do this!""
""Be quiet, Vanessa,"" Arthur croaked, staring at the floor, unable to meet anyone's eyes. ""Just... be quiet.""
Two security guards stepped forward, firmly taking Arthur and Vanessa by the elbows and steering them toward the service elevators. Vanessa twisted her head around, her eyes wild with malice, locking onto me and Lily.
""You won't get away with this, Julian!"" she screamed, her voice cracking as the elevator doors began to slide shut. ""You took everything from us! We will sue you into the dirt! You hear me? You'll pay for this!""
The metal doors closed, cutting off her shrill screams instantly.
The corridor was silent once again. Grandma turned toward me, a soft, weary smile touching her lips. She looked down at Lily, who was still clutching my trousers, looking around the massive marble lobby with quiet awe.
""Well, sweetheart,"" Grandma said gently, bending down slightly to Lily’s height. ""The noisy people are gone now. Would you like to go into the big office and have some hot chocolate with marshmallows?""
Lily peeked out from behind my leg, looking at Grandma, then up at me. I gave her an encouraging nod.
May you like
""Can I have two marshmallows?"" Lily asked shyly.
Grandma chuckled, a sound full of genuine warmth that I hadn't heard in years. ""My darling girl, from now on, you can have as many marshmallows as you want.""
