Chapter 6 - FALL FROM GRACE
"You can't do this to me!" Isabella screamed, her voice echoing down the executive hallway.
"Julian! Tell them they can't do this!"
Julian kept his eyes fixed on the floor.
"It's out of my hands, Isabella."
"The board made a unanimous decision."
"The investors were threatening to pull every cent out of the company by noon."
"We had to give them a sign of restructuring."
"Restructuring?!" Isabella laughed hysterically, tears streaming down her face.
"You replaced me with a waitress!"
Seraphina walked past Isabella and took a seat behind the massive executive desk.
She sat in the central leather chair—the chair that had belonged to their father.
She locked her fingers together and looked up at Isabella.
"Security, please escort the former vice president out of the building," Seraphina said calmly.
"Former?" Isabella choked out.
"You're kicking me out?!"
"Your access card has already been revoked," Seraphina replied without a trace of emotion.
"Your personal belongings will be packed and sent to the penthouse by this evening."
"Assuming, of course, the bank doesn't seize the penthouse first."
"What are you talking about?" Isabella demanded, stepping toward the desk.
"Mother used the penthouse as collateral for a private loan six months ago," Julian interjected quietly.
"With her arrest, the bank has frozen all family personal accounts."
Isabella felt as though her heart had completely stopped.
In less than twelve hours, she had lost her reputation, her mother, her status, her position, and now her home.
The security guards stepped forward and gently grabbed Isabella by her arms.
"Miss Vance, please come with us peacefully," one guard said softly.
"Get your filthy hands off me!" Isabella shrieked, struggling against them.
"I am Isabella Vance! I build this brand! You can't touch me!"
She kicked and screamed as they dragged her down the long glass corridor.
Employees stood at their cubicles, staring in utter disbelief.
Some were holding up their phones, recording her hysterical breakdown.
The very people who had bowed to her yesterday were now laughing at her behind their hands.
Seraphina watched the glass doors close behind Isabella from her office window.
Julian remained in the room, standing quietly near the door.
"You got what you wanted," Julian said softly.
"She has nothing left."
Seraphina didn't turn around.
"She still has her freedom, Julian."
"I was stripped of my freedom for twenty-five years."
"This is just the first course."
Julian took a step toward her.
"What is your ultimate goal, Seraphina?"
"Are you going to destroy the entire family?"
Seraphina finally turned around, her deep eyes piercing into Julian's soul.
"That depends entirely on you, brother."
"Whose side are you really on?"
Julian's phone buzzed in his pocket.
He pulled it out and read the text message.
His face turned instantly pale.
"What is it?" Seraphina asked, narrowing her eyes.
Julian looked up, his voice trembling slightly.
"Mother just posted bail."
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"And she isn't coming home."
"She just called an emergency press conference at the central courthouse."
