The slap cracked through the speakers.
Vanessa’s voice followed: Clean that too.
No one in the boardroom moved.
I announced the consequences calmly. Daniel and his father were terminated for cause. Civil recovery proceedings would begin that afternoon. Their company housing and vehicles had to be surrendered within seventy-two hours. Margaret and Vanessa were permanently barred from all Vale Meridian properties. Evidence of fraud would be referred to prosecutors, while Rosa’s assault and my battery complaint would continue separately.
Margaret’s arrogance collapsed.
She rushed around the table and dropped to her knees. Daniel’s father followed. Vanessa began sobbing, then knelt beside them.
“Please,” Margaret begged, gripping my sleeve. “We are your family.”
“You watched your son hit me,” I said. “Then you ordered me to clean the floor.”
Daniel sank down last.
“I made a mistake,” he whispered. “Withdraw the complaint. Save the business. We can start again.”
