Chapter 353
Chapter 353:
“I can’t print money, Grandmother!” Liam shouted back through the screen. “And the lawyers said if we don’t settle, Winters will add his testimony to Arthur’s. We can’t afford more enemies p>
Skye stepped forward. “The lender is here p>
A man in a sharp gray suit walked in. He carried a briefcase. He looked like a shark in human skin.
It was one of Oracle’s top corporate lawyers, posing as Apex Capital.
“Mrs. Kensington,” the lawyer said smoothly. “We are prepared to extend a credit line of fifty-five million dollars. Immediate transfer p>
“Thank God,” Beatrice breathed.
“However,” the lawyer continued, opening a document on the table, “given the volatility of your current assets and the pending federal investigation, we require physical collateral. Two hundred percent value coverage p>
“Two hundred percent?” Beatrice gasped. “That’s robbery p>
“That’s the market rate for a distressed borrower,” the lawyer said without emotion. “We require the Kensington Sapphire and the contents of your private vault. All of it p>
Beatrice clutched her pearl necklace. “My emeralds? My diamond tiara p>
“Everything,” the lawyer said. “Or I walk p>
Winters checked his watch. “You have five minutes, Beatrice p>
Beatrice looked around the room. The walls were closing in.
She looked at Skye.
“Is this the best you could do?” Beatrice snapped.
“It’s the only offer on the table,” Skye said. “Sign it, or go to prison. The Winters lawsuit will open the door for the SEC to freeze everything p>
Beatrice’s hand shook as she picked up the pen.
She looked at the contract. The words blurred through her tears.
She signed.
“Open the vault,” the lawyer commanded.
𝖮𝗿𝗶𝘨𝘪𝗻𝘢l vе𝘳ѕ𝗂о𝗻 o𝘯 𝖻𝘦lո𝗈𝗏e𝗅ѕ.𝖼𝘰𝗆
Higgins wheeled Beatrice to the hidden panel in the library.
The heavy safe doors swung open.
Skye watched as the lawyer and two assistants began to empty the shelves—velvet boxes, leather cases, decades of accumulated wealth.
They cataloged each item.
The lawyer held up the Sapphire ring box and placed it in a secure metal case.
Mr. Winters watched with a sneer. He believed the lender was overpaying for “junk” assets in a dying market, but he didn’t care. He just wanted his wire transfer.
“Transfer initiated,” the lawyer said, tapping his tablet.
Mr. Winters checked his phone. “Received p>
He grinned. “Pleasure doing business p>
He and his wife practically skipped out of the house.
The lawyers snapped the cases shut. “Payment is due in full in thirty days. Good day p>
He walked out, taking Kensington history with him.
Beatrice sat in front of the empty vault. She let out a wail that sounded like a dying animal.
“Gone,” she sobbed. “It’s all gone p>
Liam’s voice came through the tablet’s speaker. “We’re safe, Grandmother. That’s what matters p>