Chapter 5 - Unraveling the Corporate Beast
By 8:00 AM the following morning, the video of Richard Vance kicking Clara inside Prime 88 had gone viral across every major social media platform, amassing over fifteen million views.
The headline on the cover of the New York Post read: "THE STEAKHOUSE BULLY: EXECUTIVE ARRESTED AFTER KICKING WAITRESS."
Inside a high-rise office building on Wall Street, the Board of Directors at Apex Global Capital sat around a massive marble conference table in complete silence.
The Chairman of the Board, Marcus Thorne, slammed a stack of newspapers onto the table.
“Fifteen million views!” Thorne roared, his face bright red. “Our stock dropped seven percent in pre-market trading! Three major institutional investors have already called threatening to pull two billion dollars in capital if Richard Vance remains associated with this firm!”
Richard Vance sat at the far end of the table, wearing a crumpled suit. He had been released on bail at 4:00 AM, sleeping barely two hours.
“Marcus, listen to me,” Richard pleaded, his voice raspy. “It was a PR setup! The media is blowing this completely out of proportion! A simple public apology and a charitable donation will make this go away—”
“It’s not going away,” Thorne snapped. “Arthur Montgomery’s daughter, Evelyn Montgomery, just filed a twenty-million-dollar civil suit against you personally and against Apex Global for enabling a hostile, abusive corporate culture!”
Richard gasped. “Arthur Montgomery?! The builder? Why is he involved in this?!”
“Because he was standing right there when you acted like a rabid dog!” Thorne shouted. “Effective immediately, Richard, you are stripped of your title, your stock options are frozen, and you are terminated for cause. Clear your desk by noon.”
“You can't do this to me!” Richard yelled, standing up. “I built the private equity division!”
“Security!” Thorne called into the intercom.
Two heavy security guards stepped into the board room, taking Richard by the arms.
As Richard was escorted through the glass doors of Apex Global Capital, he watched his former colleagues lower their heads, refusing to make eye contact with him. In less than twelve hours, his wealth, status, and corporate power had completely vanished into dust.
Meanwhile, at a quiet coffee shop in Brooklyn, Clara sat across from Arthur Montgomery and his daughter, Evelyn—a sharp, brilliant attorney dressed in a tailored navy suit.
Clara looked at the legal documents sitting on the table, feeling overwhelmed. Her chest still ached from the bruise, but for the first time in her life, she felt safe.
“Evelyn,” Clara murmured, “I don't want millions of dollars. I just wanted him to realize he couldn't treat people like that.”
May you like
Evelyn smiled warmly, placing her hand over Clara’s. “Clara, men like Richard Vance only understand one language: accountability. The civil suit isn't just about punishment; it’s about securing your future, paying off your family’s debts, and ensuring you never have to work three jobs again.”
Arthur leaned forward, sliding a small key across the table. “And while the lawyers handle the courts, Clara, I have a proposal for you.”
