Chapter 14 - The Boardroom Siege
On the eightieth floor, the board members sat in stunned silence around an enormous mahogany conference table. Julian Vance, dressed in an immaculate three-piece Italian suit, stood at the head of the room, tapping a platinum fountain pen against a stack of legal documents.
""Gentlemen,"" Julian said, his voice smooth and commanding, completely hiding the tension beneath his eyes. ""With the tragic demise of my brother Damian and his mistress in the mountains last night, the governance of this corporation falls by law to me. The proxy votes have been tabulated. All that remains is your signatures to authorize the transfer of the shipping terminals.""
An elderly director raised his hand trembling. ""Julian... the news reports this morning spoke of federal raids, of criminal charges—""
""A smear campaign, Harold,"" Julian interrupted, his smile tightening dangerously. ""Nothing more than rogue slander that died with my brother.""
Suddenly, the double mahogany doors of the boardroom were blown off their hinges by an explosive charge, sending splinters of wood and glass showering across the marble floor.
Julian leaped backward as smoke poured into the room.
Through the haze stepped Damian, clad in black tactical armor, his rifle held at the low-ready position. Behind him filed Mateo and the operatives, their weapons sweeping the room, forcing Julian's guards against the wall with hands raised.
The directors gasped, several leaping from their chairs in sheer terror.
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""Damian?"" Julian breathed, his face draining of all color, his polished facade shattering instantly. ""You... you were at the bridge.""
""Your contractors failed, Julian,"" Damian said, his voice ringing through the room with absolute authority. He tossed the mangled silver signet ring onto the table, where it clattered to a stop before Julian’s documents. ""And your debt is about to be called in.""
