Chapter 7 - The Confrontation
Twenty minutes later, a sleek black Mercedes sedan pulled into the driveway, snow crunching beneath its tires. Arthur Pendelton stepped out, accompanied by his personal corporate attorney, a sharp-faced man holding a leather briefcase. Both men walked up the snow-dusted path with confident, triumphant strides.
Gavin opened the door before they could knock, stepping back to let them into the entryway. Emily stood near the kitchen, holding Noah close, her jaw set with a quiet strength she hadn't possessed twelve hours earlier.
"Ah, the picture of domestic bliss," Arthur sneered, removing his gloves. "Let's make this quick, Gavin. My attorney has prepared the transfer documents for your voting shares and your formal resignation as CEO. Sign them, and the medical records remain buried."
The attorney placed the briefcase on the dining table, opening it to reveal a stack of legal papers. "Mr. Rowan, once you execute these documents, my client will sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding your child."
Gavin walked slowly toward the table, picking up the top document and scanning it briefy before tossing it back onto the pile.
"I have a counter-offer," Gavin said casually.
Arthur scoffed, crossing his arms. "You're in no position to counter, Gavin. You have everything to lose."
"Do I?" Gavin reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small flash drive, and tossed it onto the table beside the paperwork. "On that drive, Arthur, is a full high-definition audio and video recording of your visit last night. Including your explicit threat to use fabricated child custody claims to extort my corporate shares."
Arthur's smug expression wavered for a fraction of a second, but he quickly recovered. "A recording? In Washington State, wiretapping laws require two-party consent. That footage is inadmissible in court."
"It's a good thing my vehicle's dashcam falls under security surveillance exceptions for property protection," Gavin countered smoothly. "And even if a state court throws it out, federal prosecutor Harrison Vance has already submitted it to the Department of Justice as evidence of felony extortion across state lines—given that Emily's clinic was in Canada."
Arthur's face turned pale. He looked at his attorney, whose confident demeanor had instantly evaporated. "Is this true?" Arthur hissed at his lawyer.
"If... if federal prosecutors are involved, yes," the attorney stammered, stepping back from the table. "Extortion involving international medical records is a federal offense."
"That's not all," Gavin continued, taking a step toward Arthur, his presence towering and formidable. "At four o'clock this morning, I authorized an independent audit of the European R&D division. We found the Cayman accounts, Arthur. Six million dollars embezzled over eighteen months. The Treasury Department froze those accounts thirty minutes ago."
Arthur gasped, taking an involuntary step back toward the front door. "Gavin... wait. We can work this out—"
"The time for working things out ended when you threatened my son," Gavin said, his voice ringing with absolute authority.
Outside, blue and red police lights suddenly illuminated the snowy driveway, flashing through the living room windows. Heavy footsteps echoed on the porch, and within seconds, four federal agents pushed open the front door, badges displayed on their coats.
"Arthur Pendelton?" the lead agent announced sternly. "You are under arrest for federal extortion, wire fraud, and embezzlement. Hands behind your back."
Arthur stood frozen as the agents cuffed his wrists behind his back. As he was led toward the door, he looked back at Gavin, his eyes filled with rage and defeat.
May you like
Gavin didn't look at him with anger. He looked at him with complete indifference—the look of a man who had already moved far beyond the petty corporate games that had once consumed his life.
"Merry Christmas, Arthur," Gavin said quietly as the door closed.
