Chapter 9 - THE RECKONING
The Thornton board meeting was held in the grand conference room of the city office.
The air was thick with tension,
the investors whispering about the scandal.
Jason had been spotted at a private airstrip,
trying to flee the country.
The police were waiting for the signal to arrest him.
Vivian sat at the head of the table,
looking like an empress.
“We are here to discuss the leadership of Thornton Global,”
she announced.
“Due to Ethan’s health,
Jason has moved to take control.”
Jason walked in then,
looking disheveled but defiant.
He had a team of lawyers with him,
carrying folders of forged documents.
“Ethan is a vegetable!”
Jason shouted,
slamming a hand on the table.
“The girl is a fraud!”
“I have the legal right to lead this company!”
Suddenly,
the heavy double doors at the back of the room swung open.
The room went silent.
Ethan walked in,
leaning slightly on his cane,
but his head was held high.
He was wearing a suit that cost more than my father’s house,
his presence filling the room like a storm.
I walked beside him,
carrying the black ledger.
“I believe you're in my seat,
Jason,”
Ethan said,
his voice resonating through the hall.
The investors gasped,
some of them standing up in shock.
Jason turned a sickly shade of gray,
his mouth hanging open.
“Ethan?”
he stammered.
“How...?”
“I’m a Thornton,”
Ethan said,
taking his place at the head of the table.
“We tend to be difficult to kill.”
He looked at the board members.
“I have evidence of embezzlement,
fraud,
and attempted murder.”
I stepped forward and placed the ledger on the table.
“This book records every cent stolen by Jason Thornton,”
I said,
my voice clear and steady.
“And we have the testimony of the security guard who was paid to kill him.”
Jason lunged for the book,
but the police were already there.
They tackled him to the ground,
cuffing his hands behind his back.
“You’ll regret this!”
Jason screamed as he was led away.
“I built this company!”
“No,”
Ethan said,
watching him go.
“You tried to burn it down.”
He turned to the board.
“I am taking back control of Thornton Global.”
“And my wife will be the head of the Thornton Foundation.”
The investors broke into applause,
the relief in the room palpable.
Vivian looked at her grandson,
a single tear of pride rolling down her face.
“Welcome back,
May you like
Ethan,”
she said.
