Three days later, the sun shone brightly through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the Vance Global headquarters.
Eleanor sat at the head of the long mahogany boardroom table, wearing a crisp navy suit, surrounded by twelve executive board members.
Board Member 1: Mrs. Vance, the news of Victoria Sterling's arrest has completely cleared our brand from any association with her firm's scandal.
Board Member 2: Our stock price actually rose four percent after the video was released showing you protecting your daughter.
Eleanor: I didn't protect my daughter for stock prices, gentlemen. I did it because family comes before everything else.
Julian: What are our plans regarding the liquidated assets of Sterling Enterprises?
Eleanor: We are purchasing their logistics department at a public auction tomorrow morning.
Board Member 1: Are we keeping their staff?
Eleanor: Every single low-level worker and ground employee keeps their job with a twenty percent raise. But the executive team that enabled Victoria's behavior will be terminated immediately.
Board Member 2: A very wise and humane decision, Mrs. Vance.
A soft knock sounded at the heavy double doors, and Daniel stepped into the room holding a black binder.
Daniel: Excuse me, Mrs. Vance. I have the final audit reports on the Sterling assets.
Eleanor: Bring them in, Daniel. Please, sit down.
Daniel: Victoria's bail was set at fifty thousand dollars this morning. Her family refused to post it.
Julian: Her own family abandoned her?
Daniel: After seeing how she treated a child on national news, nobody wanted their name linked to her legal defense fund.
Eleanor: When you spend your whole life treating people like trash, Daniel, you eventually find yourself completely alone when you fall.
Daniel: I agree, Mrs. Vance. I've officially resigned from my position at Sterling Enterprises and accepted your offer to head Vance Global's internal security team full-time.
Eleanor: Welcome aboard, Daniel. You've earned your place here through honesty and courage.
Julian smiled, placing a hand on Daniel's shoulder.
Julian: You did the right thing, son. Now let's get back to work rebuilding what she tried to break.