Chapter Seventy Five

Chapter Seventy Five
Arion stared at the dancing flames in the fireplace, his eyes full of determination. Simon stood not far from him, observing his master’s expression—cold, calculating, and ready for battle once more. This was no longer the hesitant Arion, trapped in the shadow of his late father. This was Arion McCallen, ready to reclaim his throne.

“Where do we start?” Simon asked.

Arion reached for the folder containing information on Philippe Vasseur and gently tapped its cover. “We dismantle this network, one piece at a time. I want to know everyone involved—including the lawyers I thought were loyal to our family.”

Simon nodded, pulling out his phone and sending a message to one of his contacts. “I’ll send a request to our investigative partners in Zurich. We need written proof. If we can find evidence of illegal money flow or secret contracts, we can break the connection between Philippe and Harriet.”

Footsteps echoed from the upper staircase. Arion turned and saw Hazel standing there, wearing a gray wool coat, her hair tied back. Her face looked worried, but her gaze was firm.

“I heard part of it,” she said quietly. “Arion, I know you don’t trust me... but I have something that might help.”

Arion straightened. “What is it?”

Hazel stepped forward and handed him a worn brown envelope. “It’s an old contract. Your father signed it secretly before marrying Harriet. It’s about transferring shares into a hidden trust—managed by someone named Louis Vasseur. Philippe’s older brother.”

Arion stared at Hazel in silence, then opened the envelope and examined the documents inside. His eyes widened. “This... this could change everything.”

Simon stepped closer to read as well. “If this is real, Harriet never had the legal authority to name herself as executive overseer.”

Hazel nodded. “I found it in an old safe left behind at the McCallen branch office in Nice. I know I should’ve said something sooner, but I was afraid—”

Arion raised his hand, stopping her words. “Thank you... for finally choosing the right side.”

He looked back down at the documents and said softly, “We’ll use this. But not yet. First, I want Philippe to know that I know. Then, we let him move—let him trap himself.”

That night, Arion sat alone in the manor’s library, surrounded by old bookshelves and the scent of mahogany wood. In his hand, a glass of scotch turned slowly. His mind was busy mapping out the next steps, crafting a scenario to bring down both Harriet and Philippe at once.

Simon entered without knocking. “The two board members you asked for have agreed to meet tomorrow night at the old restaurant near Southbank. It’s a secure location.”

Arion nodded. “We’ll reveal part of the information to them—but just enough to earn their loyalty. Don’t give them everything.”

Simon sighed. “Arion... if you fail, this won’t just be about losing the company. You could be investigated for holding these documents illegally.”

Arion gave him a piercing look. “Then I won’t fail.”

The following night, the old restaurant on Southbank was bathed in dim yellow light. Two middle-aged figures sat at a corner table—Douglas Havers and Elaine Cortez, former close allies of Richard McCallen. They looked up as Arion entered, accompanied by Simon.

Douglas spoke first. “We didn’t expect you to act this quickly, Arion. Last time we talked, you were on the verge of giving up.”

Arion sat down, placing a set of document copies on the table. “I found something. And I need your support to expose the conspiracy gripping McCallen Hotels.”

Elaine opened the documents and skimmed through them. Her face tightened. “If this is real... then Harriet could be prosecuted.”

“And Philippe Vasseur could be permanently banned from any involvement with the board,” added Douglas, narrowing his eyes. “But what’s your plan?”

Arion leaned back in his chair. “We’ll call an emergency Shareholders’ Meeting. I’ll present the evidence showing Harriet and Philippe have no legal authority. But I need your votes. Without you, I’m just an angry young man no one listens to.”

Elaine and Douglas exchanged glances. Then Elaine said quietly, “You have my vote.”

Douglas added, “And mine. But be careful, Arion. Vasseur isn’t just any man. He’ll destroy lives to hold on to power.”

Arion nodded. “I’m ready.”

The next day at McCallen Hotels’ headquarters, the atmosphere was tense. Everyone moved quicker than usual, as if sensing a storm was about to hit. Arion stepped into his former office—now technically Harriet’s. She sat behind the desk, calm in an emerald silk dress.

“You’re back,” she said flatly.

“Not back,” Arion replied calmly. “Just reclaiming what’s rightfully mine.”

Harriet gave a faint smile. “You’re too young for this game, Arion. Business isn’t just about legacy and a family name. You need to know when to surrender.”

Arion stepped closer and placed a stack of documents on the desk. “And you need to know when your enemy is digging his own grave.”

Harriet glanced at the documents—her eyes widened for a second before she regained control of her expression. But Arion had already seen it.

“I’ll be calling an emergency shareholder meeting. You’d best prepare,” he said before turning and walking out.

Outside, Simon waited. “She knows she’s lost.”

Arion exhaled. “Not yet. But very soon.”