Chapter 8 - The Legal Reckoning
While peace had returned to Alder House, the fallout from the autumn gala continued to ripple through the highest circles of Chicago society.
Victoria Langley’s father, Richard Langley, sat in the high-floor executive office of Asteron Systems in downtown Chicago, his face red with fury as he slammed his hand onto Mason's mahogany desk.
"You humiliated my daughter!" Richard roared. "You threw her out like garbage in front of the most influential people in the state! Her reputation is ruined!"
Mason sat behind his desk, completely unbothered. He didn't look up from his computer screen as he spoke. "Your daughter committed breaking and entering, attempted to frame an employee for grand larceny, and threatened a minor, Richard."
"She was stressed! She was insecure!" Richard insisted, leaning over the desk. "We can settle this quietly! A public statement saying the engagement ended by mutual consent! Otherwise, Langley Capital will pull its thirty-million-dollar credit line from your expansion project!"
Mason slowly lowered his glasses and looked up.
"Richard," Mason said flatly. "I bought out Langley Capital's debt position three weeks ago. You don't own my credit line. I own yours."
Richard froze, his mouth hanging open. "What...?"
Mason pulled a thick legal document from his drawer and slid it across the desk.
"That is a formal notice of default," Mason said coldly. "And behind it is a criminal complaint filed with the Lake County State's Attorney regarding Victoria's actions on the night of October twelfth. I held off filing it out of respect for your past business relationship with my father."
Mason stood up, buttoning his suit jacket.
"If you ever step foot in my office again, or if Victoria ever comes within five hundred yards of Camille Harper or her daughter, I will ensure that complaint is prosecuted to the absolute maximum extent of the law. Do we understand each other?"
May you like
Richard Langley stared at the billionaire, seeing the absolute, unyielding wall of authority he had built around himself.
Without another word, the old man picked up his briefcase and walked out of the office, his shoulders slumped in total defeat.
