Chapter 5 – The First Betrayal
By sunrise, news of the assault had spread across every major media outlet.
The headline wasn't about Holloway Financial.
It was about a billionaire caught on camera striking an innocent child.
Outside police headquarters, reporters crowded behind barricades, shouting questions as Richard Holloway slipped into the back seat of his chauffeur-driven sedan.
"Mr. Holloway! Do you regret hitting the boy?"
"Is it true the FBI has been contacted?"
"Do you deny the corruption allegations?"
Richard ignored them all.
Inside his downtown headquarters, however, ignoring reality was no longer possible.
The emergency board meeting had already begun.
Around the polished walnut table sat twelve directors—people Richard had trusted for years.
Margaret Ellis, the company's lead independent director, broke the silence.
"Richard, we've all seen the footage."
"It was a mistake," he replied.
"A very expensive mistake," another director muttered.
Richard straightened in his chair.
"The accusations about financial crimes are absurd."
Margaret folded her hands.
"The police informed us they are examining evidence connected to the company."
Richard's jaw tightened.
"You spoke with the police?"
"We had no choice."
A long silence followed before Margaret slid a document across the table.
"The board has voted."
Richard frowned.
"Voted on what?"
"Effective immediately, you're being placed on administrative leave as CEO."
The words landed harder than any punch.
"You can't remove me!"
"We already have."
His access cards, corporate accounts, and executive authority were suspended.
For the first time since founding Holloway Financial twenty-five years earlier, Richard walked out of the boardroom without power.
As the elevator doors closed, his phone buzzed.
A text message from an unknown number contained only six words:
You're next if you keep talking.
Richard stared at the screen.
May you like
He had spent years believing he controlled everyone involved in the conspiracy.
Now he realized someone else had been pulling the strings all along.
