Chapter 5 - The Liquidation PlanThe federal marshals moved with swift, mechanical efficiency. Two of them flanked the grand staircase, gently turning away guests who attempted to sneak toward the coat check to retrieve their belongings before the estate was officially locked down.
Arthur Davis walked over to the mahogany bar, poured himself a glass of ice water, and turned back to face the stunned crowd.
"Now," Arthur said calmly, "we begin the restructuring process. Every asset acquired through fraudulent loans and embezzled funds over the past ten years will be audited by federal forensic accountants. For those of you in this room who participated in shady business deals with Covington Enterprises, I suggest you retain legal counsel before sunrise."
A collective wave of terror swept through the room. Several high-profile businessmen quietly slipped toward the side exits, only to find U.S. Marshals blocking the doors with polite, unyielding smiles.
Lisa stood near the center of the room, her emerald gown catching the light as she watched Ava collapse into a velvet armchair, sobbing uncontrollably into her hands. Chloe and Savannah had already abandoned their mentor, retreating to a dark corner of the room to frantically delete their text message histories and call their respective lawyers.
Zachary walked over to Lisa, his expression a mix of humility and profound respect.
"I owe you an apology, Lisa," Zachary said softly, keeping his voice low so only she could hear. "When I saw my mother invite you to this party as a joke, I tried to warn her, but I didn't do enough. I should have stopped her weeks ago."
Lisa looked up at him, her honey-colored eyes softening. "You were the only one in this household who ever treated me with basic human decency, Zachary. Every morning when you passed me in the hallway, you nodded, said good morning, and asked how my day was going. That didn't go unnoticed."
"And the rest of it?" Zachary asked, a faint, wry smile touching his lips. "Was any of the past three years real, or was it all part of the audit?"
"The work was real," Lisa admitted with a small smile. "I take pride in whatever I do. But the perspective... seeing how wealth can rot people from the inside out if they forget where they came from? That was the most educational experience of my life."
Arthur Davis walked over, clapping a heavy, calloused hand onto Zachary’s shoulder.
"You're a good man, son," the old rancher said bluntly. "You inherited your father’s business sense, but thankfully, you didn't inherit his cowardice or your mother's cruelty. Davis Holdings doesn't want to ruin Covington Enterprises—we want to save it. But under new management."
May you like
Zachary blinked, surprised. "New management?"
"That's right," Arthur nodded, looking at his granddaughter with immense pride. "Lisa holds ninety percent voting shares of the restructured corporation now. She’s the new CEO."
