Chapter 3 - The Trap Snaps Shut
Richard stopped dead in his tracks.
His briefcase slipped a fraction of an inch in his grip.
“Harrison.”
Richard forced a chuckle, trying to regain his footing.
“This is a surprise. I didn't know we had a meeting.”
“We don't.”
Harrison didn't stand up.
He didn't offer a handshake.
He simply stared at Richard with dead, black eyes.
“What are you doing in my chair, Harry?”
Richard’s voice lost its friendly edge.
“I’m just getting comfortable with my new assets.”
Harrison gestured to the leather chair, the panoramic view of the city.
“You see, Richard, as of 8:00 AM this morning, this building is under a federal freeze.”
Richard’s face drained of color.
“Excuse me?”
Harrison tossed a massive binder onto the desk.
It landed with a heavy, definitive thud.
“Cayman Islands.”
“The shell company in Zurich.”
“The luxury condo in Vanessa Kensington’s name, paid for by corporate funds.”
Harrison listed them off like a grocery list.
“You thought you were a genius, Richard.”
“You thought you could bleed my sister dry and leave her with the mortgage.”
Richard’s hands began to shake.
“You can’t just freeze my company.”
“I didn't.”
Harrison leaned forward, resting his elbows on the mahogany.
“The SEC did.”
“Turns out, embezzling funds from your own investors to hide them in a divorce is a federal crime.”
Richard stumbled backward, bumping into the doorframe.
“Khloe…”
He gasped for air.
“Khloe doesn't know anything about the business!”
“No, she doesn't.”
Harrison stood up slowly.
He was six inches taller than Richard, and he used every bit of that height to loom over him.
“But she knows how to use a scanner.”
“And she knows how to call her brother.”
Harrison walked around the desk.
“Here is what happens now, Richard.”
“You are going to be served with divorce papers in about ten seconds.”
“My sister is taking the house, the liquid assets, and sole custody of the child.”
“You are going to sign the papers at the courthouse on Friday.”
Richard gritted his teeth, panic giving way to desperate anger.
“I won’t sign anything! I have lawyers!”
Harrison stopped inches from Richard’s face.
“Your lawyers just quit, Richard.”
“Because you paid them with stolen money.”
“I suggest you show up on Friday.”
“Because if you don't, I will personally hand the Zurich ledgers to the FBI.”
Harrison straightened his tie and walked out the door.
May you like
He didn't look back.
He left Richard Harrington alone in a crumbling empire.
