Chapter 62: Whatever It Takes
Margaret waited anxiously, her heart pounding as the officer walked away to get Jake.
Soon, Jake was led out, looking weary and defeated. He sat across from her, avoiding her gaze, his hands resting on the table. Margaret's chest tightened at the sight of him.
"How are you holding up?" she asked softly, her voice trembling. "Are they treating you well?"
Jake gave a slight nod but didn't look up. "I'm fine, Mom. I'm sorry you had to come here."
Margaret blinked back tears. "Don't say that. I'm your mother. I'll always be here for you."
"When you called to tell me you're in here, I almost lost it, Jake. What happened? Claire said you were embezzling funds from the company," she said, looking at Jake.
Jake's face snapped up at the mention of Claire's name, and he raised his eyes to meet his mother. "I... Claire and Alex," he spat. "They've always been out to get me. This was their plan all along, Mom. They wanted me out of the company. I didn't do anything."
Margaret's jaw tightened. "So that's how it is. To think Claire had the nerve to come to my house today, pretending like she cared. She said it was all for your own good, that this is supposed to teach you a lesson. Can you believe that? I won't let her get away with this."
Jake slammed his fists on the table, making Margaret flinch. "A lesson? For what? I gave everything to that company! I worked harder than anyone else, and this is how they repay me. By throwing me under the bus? First, she gives the CEO position to that stranger, and she's conspired with him to throw me out simply because the board of directors wants me to be CEO."