Chapter 5 - The Collapse
Edmund leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table.
"As of eight o'clock this morning," Edmund said smoothly, "Cross Enterprises purchased fifty-two percent of the voting shares in Norton Development. As majority shareholder, my first act was to terminate Bradley Norton as CEO without severance."
"You... you can't do that!" Pamela shrieked, standing up. "This is a family business!"
"Not anymore," Meredith said quietly. "As part of my federal restitution claim, the courts have frozen all assets associated with Norton Development, including the house in the suburbs, your personal bank accounts, and the luxury vehicles registered under the company name."
Bradley stared at Meredith as if seeing her for the very first time. The broken, quiet woman who had served his dinner, washed his clothes, and endured his mother's insults for five years was gone. Standing in her place was Thomas Vance's true heir.
"Meredith... please," Bradley stammered, his voice cracking as desperation set in. He reached across the table, trying to catch her hand. "We're a family. Think of Rosie! We can talk about this at home—"
"Rosie is safe," Meredith said, pulling her hand back out of his reach. "And as for the video Tanya posted online yesterday..."
Meredith nodded toward the large digital monitor mounted on the boardroom wall. The screen flickered to life, showing the high-definition footage captured by the security cameras Edmund had installed near the backyard fence line—showing Bradley shoving her face into the cake, Pamela smiling, and Tanya laughing.
"My legal team has filed for full custody based on evidence of public abuse and endangerment," Meredith continued softly. "The judge signed the emergency temporary custody order twenty minutes ago."
Two federal marshals and two local police officers opened the boardroom doors.
"Bradley Norton and Pamela Norton?" the lead officer asked. "You are under arrest for federal financial fraud, forgery, and grand theft."
As the officers clicked handcuffs over Bradley’s wrists, he looked at Meredith, tears finally spilling down his cheeks. "Meredith! Please! I loved you!"
May you like
Meredith stood up, smoothing the front of her jacket. She looked at her husband with neither anger nor pity—only absolute, unshakeable indifference.
"The cake was warm, Bradley," she said softly. "But justice is cold."
