"What took you so long?" my sister Vikylou asked.
"I was dealing with the matter about Mark" I explained as I huffed and settled into my Favorite armchair, feeling the familiar comfort of its worn upholstery as I looked at my sisters, each seated with an expression of concern. Vikylou sat at the window, her gaze distant but focused. Brenda fidgeted with the edge of her shawl, her face a mix of anger and disbelief.
Vikylou cleared her throat first, her voice steady despite the distress in her eyes. "So, it's clear that Mark has crossed a line this time."
Brenda's face flushed with frustration. "I still can't believe it. I've always known Peter to be ambitious, but this was beyond anything I could have imagined. What if the hacker had succeeded and had managed to breach the system and Armand Inc. was exposed?"
I sighed, feeling the weight of our collective disappointment. "It's not just about betrayal, Brenda, he almost exposed Armand Inc. I expected that an outsider would hack our company but to have someone from the inside do it was a low blow."
Vikylou nodded in agreement, her eyes narrowing with determination. "We need to act. This isn't something we can ignore, or hope will go away. If we don't address it now, we'll be left picking up the pieces sooner or later."
Brenda's hands trembled slightly as she spoke. "I just don't understand what he was thinking. He's always been so driven, and so focused. Did he think he could get away with this without consequences?"
"It's not about what he thought," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "But Melinda's family is in trouble. Sooner or later, they will push Mark into a deep dark hole because of money."
Vikylou leaned forward and answered. "I agree. But we need to be strategic. If we approach this recklessly, we risk escalating the situation further. We need a plan to ensure that he understands the gravity of his actions and to mitigate any further damage. And a confrontation with Melinda's mother and brother is inevitable. "
Brenda growled and whispered. "It's just so disheartening. We are the ones who convinced Armand to give him a job in the company and now I am regretting it. "
I reached over and took Brenda's hand, squeezing it gently. "He is family, and we wanted to give him a better life and have him close to Armand, who is his only brother."
The room fell into a heavy silence as we each considered the enormity of the situation. We knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but as sisters, would protect Armand and his company. We discussed the next steps. Despite the weight of the situation, there was a glimmer of resolve in our hearts, knowing that we would face this challenge together.
Hours later, late at night when I paced back and forth in the living room, my mind raced as I awaited Armand's arrival. The room, usually a sanctuary of calm and order, felt suffocating today. The walls, lined with old family portraits and mementos of better days, seemed to close in on me with each step. I could hardly believe I was about to confront him about this—about his brother's betrayal.
The door creaked open, and Armand walked in, his face set in a mask of composed indifference.
"You are still awake?" He asked me with one raised eyebrow.
"I was waiting for you Armand "I smiled warmly at him.
He carried himself with the confidence of someone who had conquered the world, but today, there was a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. I gestured to the couch opposite me, and he sat down, his posture still unyielding.
"I wanted us to have a chat "I spoke up.
He raised an eyebrow, his expression guarded. "What's this about, Aunt Monica."
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "It's about your brother, Mark. You knew what he did, and you let him be. If the hacker would have succeeded, then Armand Inc would have been in danger."
Armand huffed slightly, but he didn't say anything. His silence was heavy as if he were weighing his response.
"Armand, this isn't just a business issue," I continued, my voice tinged with frustration. "This is a betrayal on a personal level and his actions are putting everything you've built at risk. Do you understand how serious this is?"
He shifted in his seat, a flicker of something, anger crossing his face. "I know"
I leaned forward, my gaze piercing. "Well, it's true. And the ramifications are severe. Not only is he jeopardizing the company's stability, but you need to address this immediately."
Armand's hands clenched into fists on his lap. "I already gave him a warning. He is my brother after all.
I saw the pain in his eyes, the deep sense of betrayal that mirrored my own. "Trust is a fragile thing, Armand It's taken a lot of effort to build what you have, and it can all unravel if you don't act decisively. Getting off on a warning is not dealing with the issue. Your threat came in handy in the Board meeting, but it will not be enough. I suggest you fire Brun as a warning and keep Mark on a tight leash. I don't trust your maternal family and I know they keep pushing him to be reckless as their greed for power in the name of your mother Melinda.
He nodded; his jaw set with resolve. "I have nothing to do with them. "
I placed a hand on his arm, trying to offer some comfort. "I know you. Just remember, Armand, that family means more than just blood. It means loyalty and respect."
Armand looked up at me, his expression hardening with determination. "Thank you, Aunty, for the reminder."
"As for Eli, do you think it's a good idea to keep him in the company?" I asked.
"Yes" Armand answered without hesitation, and it made me chuckle.
"I trust you" I nodded at him.
As he stood to leave, I watched him go, hoping that his resolve would carry him through this storm. My heart was heavy with the weight of the situation, but I knew that confronting this betrayal head-on was the only way to salvage what remained