Chapter 7 - THE STOCKS COLLAPSE
The sun rose over a freezing city,
but the warmth did not reach the Holloway corporate headquarters.
Before the opening bell of the stock exchange even rang,
the financial markets reacted to the viral video.
Major institutional investors began dumping their shares,
panicking over the massive public relations nightmare.
By 9:30 a.m.,
Holloway Enterprises stock had dropped by fifteen percent,
wiping out billions in market value.
My phone rang constantly,
displaying unknown numbers and corporate extensions.
Marcus tried to call me multiple times,
his arrogance completely replaced by desperation.
I finally answered his tenth call,
placing it on speakerphone while Zuri ate soup.
"What do you want?"
he hissed,
his voice sounding older,
weaker than the night before.
"I want you to see the consequences of your perfect life,"
I answered calmly,
my voice devoid of emotion.
"I will give you ten million dollars,"
he offered quickly,
believing money could still solve his problems.
"Sign a non-disclosure agreement,
and tell the media it was a terrible accident,"
he begged.
I let out a soft,
bitter laugh that cut through the line.
"You struck my daughter on marble,"
I reminded him,
my grip tightening on the phone.
"You threw her into the snow barefoot,"
I added,
ensuring he remembered every detail.
"Your money is completely worthless to me now,
Marcus."
"The board is forcing me out,"
he whispered,
his voice cracking with sudden ruin.
"Good,"
I said,
May you like
and hung up the phone without waiting for a reply.
The destruction of his legacy had officially begun.
