Chapter 18 - The Final Gathering
With Margaret Vanguardâs massive international wealth and political connections backing them, the final pieces of the puzzle fell into place with devastating speed. The corrupt politicians and regulatory board members who had protected Victoria Cross were exposed, arrested, and stripped of their titles.
A month after the crash, Julian had fully recovered, his head wrapped in a small bandage but his sharp wit completely intact. He stood beside Clara and Margaret in the grand boardroom of the Vanguard headquarters. The minor board members who had once resisted Clara now sat in absolute, terrified silence.
"Today, we vote on the complete liquidation of Cross Industries," Clara announced, tossing a thick legal dossier onto the center of the table. "We have acquired eighty percent of their distressed debt. By the end of this business day, Cross Industries will cease to exist, and its assets will be absorbed into the Eleanor Vanguard Foundation."
Victoria Cross sat at the far end of the table, flanked by her defense lawyers. She looked ruined, her empire stripped away by the very public she had tried to manipulate.
"You think you're a savior, Clara?" Victoria spat, her voice trembling. "You're just as ruthless as Arthur was."
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"No, Victoria," Clara replied calmly, leaning forward. "Arthur fought to steal what didn't belong to him. I fought to protect the people I love and honor the memory of the woman who died giving me a future. There is a vast difference between greed and justice."
As the board members unanimously raised their hands to pass the vote, Victoria was led out of the room by federal agents, her name destined to join Beatrice's in the annals of corporate infamy.
