Chapter 3 - The Unraveling
Forty-eight hours after the birthday gala, the atmosphere inside the Cross mansion was anything but celebratory.
Damian sat at his mahogany desk, staring in horror at the red numbers flashing on his computer screen. His phone was ringing off the hook.
"What do you mean the loan renewal was denied?!" Damian roared into the receiver. "We’ve been partners with Vanguard State Bank for a decade!"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Cross," the bank representative replied, sounding terrified. "The order came directly from the executive board. Your credit line has been permanently terminated. You have seventy-two hours to repay the outstanding $150 million, or we will begin seizing your corporate assets."
Damian slammed the phone down.
At that moment, his mother burst into the office, her face pale and her expensive makeup smudged. "Damian! Something terrible is happening! The board of my charity foundation just called. All of our major donors have pulled out! They said they don't want to be associated with a family facing imminent bankruptcy!"
"Not now, Mother!" Damian snapped, grabbing his hair in frustration. "We are losing the company!"
Vanessa, who had moved into the mansion the day after Isabella left, walked in carrying a stack of shopping bags. "Darling, what is going on? My credit cards were declined at Chanel. It was so embarrassing!"
"Shut up, Vanessa!" Damian shouted, his stress reaching a boiling point. "We are facing a financial crisis, and you're complaining about shopping?"
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed, her sweet demeanor instantly vanishing. "Don't you dare raise your voice at me, Damian. I helped you get rid of that boring wife of yours. You promised me a life of luxury, not bankruptcy!"
As the three of them began arguing, Damian’s personal assistant rushed into the room without knocking.
"Mr. Cross! You need to see this!" the assistant gasped, turning on the television on the wall.
A breaking news banner flashed across the screen:
"CROSS ENTERPRISES IN FREEFALL: MYSTERIOUS BENEFACTOR 'THE ARCH' WITHDRAWS ALL FINANCIAL SUPPORT."
The news anchor began speaking rapidly: "Rumors indicate that the shadowy billionaire behind the multi-billion dollar Vanguard Group, known only as 'The Arch,' has cut all ties with the Cross family. Stocks have plummeted by forty percent in the last two hours..."
Damian stared at the screen, his heart freezing. The Arch.
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For years, whenever his company faced ruin, a mysterious financial angel had stepped in to save them under the pseudonym "The Arch." Damian had always believed his own genius had attracted this benefactor.
Now, he realized the terrifying truth: whoever "The Arch" was, they held his entire life in the palm of their hand. And they had decided to squeeze.
