Chapter 7
709words
"Tax evasion? That's serious criminal territory. Someone's going to prison!"
"This is way beyond a PR crisis—this is criminal!"
The allegations prompted a police investigation. When officers arrived, reporters swarmed our headquarters.
"Ms. Sanders, can you address the tax evasion allegations? Is there more to this story than what's being reported?"
I removed my sunglasses and faced the cameras directly.
"There were indeed irregularities before I took over the company. I promise full transparency and accountability."
At the police station, I wasted no time. "Officers, I'd like to report a crime. Our former HR manager Yves Young conspired with our accountant to commit tax fraud. I have comprehensive evidence here."
After reviewing my evidence, the police moved quickly to arrest Yves.
I accompanied the officers to a cramped studio apartment where Ruby lived. She looked genuinely confused. "Officers, there must be some mistake. Yves would never do something like this."
"Ma'am, we have substantial evidence of Mr. Young's involvement in tax fraud. Please step aside."
Yves's face drained of color. "What the hell? Who reported this?"
He saw Ruby's expression and realization dawned. "You stupid bitch! I told you about this in confidence! Did you call the cops?"
"Yes, I called them! I read online that tax evasion means jail time for the whole company. I couldn't stand watching that bitch Yana strutting around like she owns the world!"
"Why should we struggle while she sits in her fancy office without a care in the world? It's not fair!"
Yves suddenly lashed out, kicking Ruby in the stomach. "You idiot! The tax fraud had nothing to do with the company! It was our private scheme! Now WE'RE going to prison!"
Ruby collapsed, clutching her stomach, her face ashen. "No! That can't be right! I didn't understand!"
"I'm going to prison because of you! Happy now?"
Blind with rage, Yves kicked her repeatedly as she curled protectively around her stomach, sobbing. "This can't be happening! No! Please, no!"
The officers tackled Yves before his final kick could land. "That's enough! You're under arrest!"
Only then did the reality of his situation hit him. With wild, desperate eyes, he fell to his knees before me. "Yana, I was wrong—so wrong! You're the CEO, you can fix this! You must have connections!"
"For the sake of our years together, please help me. I'm begging you!"
I stepped back from his reaching hands:
"Our relationship ended the moment I said we were done."
The police led Yves away in handcuffs, leaving Ruby curled on the floor, moaning in agony.
At the hospital, doctors confirmed Ruby had miscarried and suffered permanent reproductive damage. Yves faced additional charges of assault causing grievous bodily harm.
The court handed down its verdict: ten years in prison for Yves Young.
He had no family—no parents to visit him, no one to help him reintegrate. By the time of his release, the world would have moved on without him.
With that chapter closed, I focused entirely on the future.
Under my leadership, the company flourished, becoming the most profitable subsidiary in just two years.
My father reached retirement age and, satisfied with my proven abilities, handed over the parent company to me.
At my appointment ceremony as CEO of the parent corporation, I finally asked him: "Dad, it wasn't coincidence that you placed me in that specific subsidiary where Yves happened to work, was it?"
Dad studied my transformed demeanor with quiet satisfaction. "I knew you'd figure it out eventually. Yes, I deliberately recruited Yves."
"You were blinded by love and wouldn't listen to reason. You needed to see his true colors firsthand, or you'd never have let go."
"Men understand other men. Give someone like him a taste of power, and one woman would never be enough. When temptation came, I knew he'd fall."
"Dad, you crafty old fox."
My father's sly smile revealed the mastermind I'd always known him to be. I felt a complex mixture of gratitude and amazement.
He could have destroyed Yves a dozen different ways, but he chose the path that would strengthen me while revealing Yves's true nature.
An old saying floated through my mind.
A parent's love sees beyond the horizon of their child's pain.
