Chapter 3
Chapter 3: The Mask Falls
Total chaos erupted inside the Morrison living room.
Margaret collapsed backward onto the expensive silk sofa, clutching her chest. "This is impossible! Our family’s business... how could we possibly be dependent on an unknown conglomerate?!"
Brenda hurried down the stairs, still wearing last night’s tight crimson dress, her heavy makeup melting into a contour of sheer panic. "Andrew... what is going on? You told me you had hundreds of millions of dollars!"
Before anyone could answer, the front double doors were pushed wide open with heavy, authoritative force.
A team of men in sharp charcoal suits marched into the foyer, led by Julian—the Chief Legal Counsel for Escalante Global.
"Mr. Andrew Morrison," Julian announced, his voice devoid of any warmth. "I am here on behalf of the Sole Controlling Shareholder of Morrison Group to serve formal notice. You are officially removed from your position as Chairman. All collateral assets, including this residential property, are hereby repossessed, and criminal charges are being filed against you and Mrs. Margaret Margaret Morrison for corporate fraud, embezzlement, and defamation."
Andrew lunged forward, grabbing the attorney by his lapels. "You’re insane! Who is backing you? Who is this controlling shareholder?! Tell me!"
Julian calmly brushed Andrew’s hands away, straightened his tie, and offered a cold, knowing smile.
"Didn't you order her to get on her knees and beg last night?"
Andrew’s face drained of every ounce of color.
Margaret’s jaw dropped in absolute horror. "You... you mean... that poor, pathetic girl... Mariana?"
May you like
"Mariana Escalante," Julian corrected sharply. "Sole heiress and legitimate successor to the Escalante Global Financial Empire. The woman you degraded as a 'penniless nobody' for the past four years was, in fact, the single entity funding every meal, every luxury vehicle, and every diamond you currently wear."
Brenda stumbled backward, her eyes wide with shock. She looked at Andrew—who now stood stripped of his status, utterly ruined, and penniless.
