Chapter 4

Arthur

...Two days before...

The employee responsible for overseeing contract signings between both companies betrayed his duty, using his position for personal gain. Secretly aligning himself with Arthur’s rival, he shared confidential details of the contract laying the foundation for a calculated scheme. Their ultimate goal: to have Arthur imprisoned and bring his thriving empire crashing down.

Together, they crafted an intricate plan, spanning from the initial contract signing to the strategic investments made by Arthur’s group of companies. For the past decade, Arthur had poured his heart, resources, and vision into elevating his company to the top surpassing competitors who once led the market. His rapid rise to dominance drew the attention and envy of many.

Arthur revolutionized the industry launching new ventures for every innovative product, capturing the interest of international investors, and forming alliances that made his name synonymous with success. It wasn’t long before he became the center of the corporate world, with everyone vying for a chance to work with him.

Consumed by envy, the rival companies grew resentful of Arthur’s soaring achievements. To them, it felt like he had stolen the spotlight and the future. The mastermind behind the betrayal, the very employee Arthur once trusted, was lured by promises of power and prestige in the rival corporation, trading loyalty for ambition in a cold, calculated move.

Soon, the plan was set into motion.

It was a rainy evening when the scheme took its first major step. The enemy company informed Arthur that the contract had been successfully signed smoothly, without any complications. Overjoyed by the news and unaware of the storm brewing beneath the surface, Arthur left for home in high spirits.

Meanwhile, the traitorous employee returned to Arthur’s company under the guise of routine work. He discreetly accessed the archives and stole every critical document blueprints, financial reports, signed contracts anything that could be twisted into a weapon.

With those papers, the enemy crafted a mountain of falsified evidence, rewriting Arthur’s decade of hard work into a web of lies. They forged documents to suggest that Arthur had used threats and coercion to force companies into signing deals. Even more damning, they fabricated proof that Arthur was laundering black money through shell companies.

The next day, Arthur arrived at work to find the board of directors had summoned an emergency meeting. Confusion quickly turned to horror as the forged documents were presented. The room fell into a stunned silence as accusations flew. Arthur demanded the presence of the employee but he was nowhere to be found.

Panic set in.

Arthur, face flushed with rage, slammed his fist on the table. “No matter what it takes—FIND HIM!” he roared. Arthur had always despised betrayal, but this cut deeper than anything he'd known.

The company descended into chaos. Tension spread like wildfire teams worked relentlessly around the clock, scouring every corner for leads. Sleep was forgotten, meals untouched. The once proud and vibrant office was now shadowed by suspicion and urgency.

The news broke to the public like a lightning strike. Headlines swirled with scandal. Arthur’s legacy, once admired, was now under fire. Rumors and panic rippled through every department.

That’s when Lucy burst through the front doors, breathless. Her heels echoed through the marble floor as she rushed toward Arthur’s office. The secretary stood up, blocking her path “Madam, please don’t go in. He’s not meeting with anyone right now.”

Lucy stepped forward, her voice trembling but fierce. “He’s my son. How can I possibly leave him alone in a moment like this?”

Tears streamed down her face as she broke down, sobbing softly. Everyone nearby tried to calm her, but the pain in her voice pierced the room. The sound reached Arthur, who immediately rushed out of his office, alarmed.

The sight of his mother crying stopped him cold.

His face tensed, and without a word, he knelt beside her. Taking her trembling hands in his, he whispered, “Mother… please don’t cry. Everything is going to be okay.”

Lucy looked into her son’s eyes, forcing a smile through her tears. “I know, my son. You’ve always been strong… just promise me, don’t break yourself in the process.”

She took a deep breath, then held his face gently. “No matter how hard it looks, I know you’ve always done things the right way. God sees everything. This is just a trial, and you’re going to pass it like you always do. I believe in you. I trust you… and I will never leave your side.”

Her words struck deep into Arthur’s heart, steadying him. His gaze hardened with resolve.

Just then, one of his trusted men burst through the door. “Sir! We found the employee. He’s hiding on the outskirts of the city.”

Arthur stood tall, the fire in his eyes reignited. “Good. Let’s pay that traitor a visit.”

But before he could take a step, a group of officers entered the building, blocking the path. “Arthur Gold ,” one of them announced, “we’re placing you under custody for further investigation. Please come with us.”

Gasps filled the room.

Arthur didn’t flinch. He turned to his team and said calmly, “Don’t worry about me. Just find that man. Drag him into court and expose the truth.”

His man nodded firmly. “Yes, sir. I won’t let you down.”

Lucy lunged forward, desperate. “STOP! Please....don’t take my son! He’s innocent!”

Arthur gently turned to her, cupping her face. “Mom… please. Stay calm. I’ll be back. And I promise I’ll clear my name.”

The officers led Arthur away as Lucy watched, heartbroken, tears returning to her eyes.

The man beside her stepped up. “Come, ma’am. I’ll take you to him.”

He opened the car door, and without hesitation, Lucy got in. As the engine roared to life, they sped off determined to stand by Arthur, no matter what came next.

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