Chapter 4 - The Exposure of a Coward
The Entrance of the SovereignThe first thing that entered the room was a wheelchair, pushed gently by Marcus, the head of Montgomery security.
I sat in the chair, wearing a soft, clean cream-colored wool coat over my hospital gown. My face was still pale, and the IV port was still taped to the back of my hand, but my head was held high.
Behind me walked Thomas Montgomery.
The senior partners of Vanguard Partners stood up instantly, their chairs scraping against the floor in their haste to show respect. Arthur Pendelton looked as if he were about to throw up.
"Mr. Montgomery," Arthur gasped, bowing his head. "We... we had no idea."
Derek looked from my father, to the partners, and finally to me. His eyes darted back and forth, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
"Willow?" Derek whispered, his voice cracking. "What... what is this? Why are you with Mr. Montgomery?"
"You told me I married down, Derek," I said, my voice steady and clear, echoing off the glass walls of the boardroom. "But the truth is, you never even knew where 'up' was."
My father walked over to the head of the table. He didn't sit down. He stood there, his presence occupying every square inch of the room.
"Mr. Vale," my father said, his voice containing the weight of an avalanche. "Ten days ago, you stood in my office's subsidiary and accepted a promotion. You spoke about integrity, about dedication, about value. And last night, you threw my only daughter onto a wet highway to bleed out because she 'smelled like death' from an infection your own negligence caused."
Derek’s knees buckled. He fell back into his chair, his face turning a sickly shade of gray.
"Your... your daughter?" Derek gasped, looking at me with wide, terrified eyes. "Willow... you’re a Montgomery? Why... why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I wanted to see who you were when you thought no one was watching," I said, leaning forward in my chair. "And you showed me. You are a man who would leave his sick wife in the rain for twenty dollars."
The Systematic DestructionMy father turned his gaze to Arthur Pendelton.
"Arthur," my father said.
"Yes, Mr. Montgomery!" Arthur squealed, stepping forward.
"Is this man still an employee of this firm?"
"No, sir!" Arthur said instantly. "Derek Vale is terminated, effective immediately. For cause. No severance. No benefits. We are also preparing a formal declaration to the licensing board to ensure his corporate credentials are permanently revoked for ethical violations."
"Good," my father said. "Now, let’s discuss his assets."
Alexander Vance, my father's chief legal counsel, stepped forward, opening a thick leather portfolio.
"Mr. Vale," Alexander said, looking down at Derek with professional disgust. "The white Chevy Tahoe you drove last night was financed through the corporate credit union, which is owned by Montgomery Bank. Due to your immediate termination for cause, the loan has been recalled in full. The vehicle is currently being towed from your office parking lot."
"You... you can't do that!" Derek cried, his voice rising in panic. "I have thirty days to—"
"You had thirty days," Alexander corrected him. "But under Section 9 of your executive contract, any conduct that brings severe reputational damage to the parent company allows for immediate liquidation of all corporate-backed assets. Furthermore, the luxury apartment in Uptown you leased? The building is owned by Montgomery Real Estate. Your lease has been terminated due to illegal subletting—specifically, your live-in arrangement with a junior employee, Ms. Chloe Bennett, which violates the building’s corporate housing policy."
"You have until 12:00 PM today to vacate the premises," my father added, his voice like cold steel. "If your belongings are still in that apartment at 12:01, they will be thrown into the dumpster on Park Avenue."
"Willow, please!" Derek screamed, suddenly lunging across the table toward me.
Marcus stepped in front of him instantly, his massive hand pressing against Derek’s chest with enough force to send him stumbling backward into his chair.
"We were married!" Derek cried, tears finally spilling down his cheeks. "We built a life together! You can't let them do this to me! I made a mistake! I was stressed about the promotion! I was going to come back for you, I swear!"
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the crumpled, dirty twenty-dollar bill.
May you like
I tossed it onto the mahogany table. It slid across the polished wood, stopping right in front of his shaking hands.
"Here is your money back, Derek," I said. "Use it for a bus."
