Chapter 6 - Submerged Pride

Julian took a ragged breath and jumped.

SPLASH.

The water swallowed him whole. Unlike Clara, who had been thrown off balance, Julian fell in stiffly, coming up sputtering and gasping. The pool lights illuminated his ruined shirt, clinging transparently to his skin, making him look frail and pathetic.

"Stay there," Mr. Vance commanded from above.

Mr. Vance turned to his bodyguard. "Give me your phone."

The bodyguard smoothly unholstered a ruggedized phone, unlocked it, and handed it to Mr. Vance.

Mr. Vance raised the camera, pointed the lens straight down at Julian’s shivering face, and pressed record.

"Look up, Julian," Mr. Vance said.

Tears of pure humiliation finally broke from Julian’s eyes. He looked up at the black lens, paddling water weakly.

"How does it feel?" Mr. Vance asked, his voice steady. "To have your helplessness documented? To know that everyone in this city will see you for what you actually are: a coward who hides behind his father’s money to abuse people who work for a living?"

Julian choked back a sob, his pride shattering into a million pieces. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Mr. Vance. I'm sorry, Clara."

Mr. Vance stopped the recording and handed the phone back to his driver.

"Arthur," Mr. Vance said, not looking down at the pool.

"Yes, sir," Arthur replied instantly, his voice shaking.

"Tomorrow morning at eight o’clock, your legal team will transfer the full architectural credits and the master development rights for the civic center project entirely to Clara’s independent LLC. You will take zero commission. You will provide the capital funding as silent, non-voting partners."

Arthur winced, but nodded violently. "Yes, Mr. Vance. Absolutely. Done."

"And your son," Mr. Vance added, glancing down at Julian. "He is fired from the company. Effective immediately. If I ever see his name attached to a real estate license, an architectural board, or a corporate board in this state again, I will foreclose on your entire family portfolio before noon."

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"He's out, sir. He's completely out," Arthur promised, his voice cracking.

Mr. Vance turned away from the pool, placing a protective arm around Clara’s shoulders. "Come, Clara. Let's go home."