Chapter 20 - The Choice Sloane Expected
Sloane gave Leah six hours.
He demanded the original files, the Meridian ledger, and a public announcement that she was resigning from Vale Hart.
He assumed Leah would keep the threat private.
That was how he controlled people.
He gave them something to lose and convinced them secrecy was the only way to protect it.
Leah did the opposite.
She contacted law enforcement, the board, employee representatives, and every creditor involved in Sloane’s attempted takeover.
Then she held a press conference.
“Victor Sloane has attempted to obtain control of Vale Hart Industries through forged documents, hidden debts, and threats,” she said. “The evidence has been provided to investigators.”
A reporter called out, “Are you endangering a hostage by speaking publicly?”
“Secrecy is the weapon Mr. Sloane has used for years. I will not hand it back to him.”
The news spread within minutes.
Sloane’s creditor group withdrew its restructuring proposal. Two shell-company directors contacted prosecutors. A former Sloane employee offered documents in exchange for protection.
But Martin was still missing.
Chloe blamed herself.
“He entered my office because I trusted his history with my father.”
“He entered because Sloane owned his fear,” Leah said.
“What if we are too late?”
“Then we continue until we know.”
Mara approached them with an old building plan.
Sloane Advisory had leased a private records warehouse under Meridian’s name.
The warehouse included an unregistered basement room.
Daniel compared the wall behind Martin in the video with archived inspection photographs.
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The concrete pattern matched.
Sloane had hidden Martin inside the building where he had hidden the company’s money.
