Chapter 43
Chapter 43:
The door burst open. Two uniformed security guards stepped in. They looked at Arthur, then at Jocelyn. They didn’t like Arthur. No one did.
“Escort Mr. Arthur out,” Jocelyn said, gesturing toward the door. “Since the system is ‘broken,’ he clearly can’t do his job. He’s relieved of duty pending an external audit p>
“You can’t do this!” Arthur screamed as the guards took hold of his arms. “I’m telling Vincent! You’ll regret this p>
“I doubt it,” Jocelyn murmured.
They dragged him out, his loafers scuffing against the carpet. The office fell silent.
Jocelyn let out a long, shaky breath. She sank into Harvey’s leather chair — still warm — and spun it around once, a small, private act of reclaiming territory.
𝘈𝘥𝗱𝗂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘷e s𝘵𝘰r𝗶𝘦s 𝗼ո
She picked up her phone and typed a reply.
Jocelyn: Funds received. I’m logging this as a loan against my shares. Don’t think this makes us even.
Gaston: Call it whatever helps you sleep. Just don’t let them win.
The lobby of the Wolfe Hotel was a cavern of whispering marble. The rumor of Arthur’s eviction had traveled faster than the elevators.
Jocelyn stood on the grand staircase, looking down at a sea of uniforms — bellhops, receptionists, housekeeping staff, kitchen workers. They looked tired. Their uniforms were frayed at the edges. They looked like people who hadn’t seen a bonus in three years.
Security had locked the main doors. This was a lockdown meeting.
Uncle Vincent came charging from the executive wing, his face a mask of purple rage.
“Jocelyn!” he bellowed, his voice echoing off the high ceilings. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? You can’t just fire a director and a controller p>
Jocelyn ignored him. She turned to face the crowd. Her voice shook slightly, then firmed up.
“Everyone, listen up. Harvey and Arthur have been suspended for financial misconduct p>
A gasp rippled through the room, followed by a low murmur of validation. They knew. They had always known.
“I know it’s been hard,” Jocelyn said, raising her voice above the whispers. “I know payroll has been late. I know bonuses have been frozen since 2021 p>
She held up a tablet. “This is a record of the quarterly bonuses the executive team paid themselves while telling you there was no budget p>
Angry shouts erupted from the back.
“Silence!” Jocelyn commanded. The room quieted instantly.
“Today, that changes. I have personally injected funds into the payroll account.” She looked out at the faces below her. “Every single one of you will receive your back-pay by 5:00 PM today. Plus a ten percent new management bonus p>
For a moment, there was absolute silence — they were too stunned to react.
Then a single clap. Then another. And suddenly the lobby roared with applause. It wasn’t polite applause; it was the sound of relief, of vindication.
Uncle Vincent grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her bicep.
“Where did you get the money?” he hissed, his eyes darting around the room. “The accounts are empty. I made sure of it p>