Chapter 10 - The War Room
The top floor of the Vance Global Tower was a cathedral of glass, chrome, and calculated hostility. By eight-thirty in the morning, all fifteen board members were seated around the massive marble conference table, drinking bitter espresso and whispering in hushed, nervous tones.
At the head of the table sat Eleanor Vance. She was immaculate in a pearl-gray Chanel suit, her silver hair pulled back into a severe chignon, her face carved from merciless stone. To her right sat Victoria Sterling and her father, Richard Sterling, whose smug smile indicated that the morning’s coup was already considered a concluded affair.
""Ladies and gentlemen,"" Eleanor announced, tapping her platinum pen against the crystal water glass. The room instantly fell into dead silence. ""As you are aware, my son Julian has suffered a severe psychological collapse following personal pressures. His reckless actions last night have jeopardized the Sterling Maritime merger and brought disrepute to our family name. Under Section Twelve of our bylaws, I move to declare him incapacitated and assume the executive chair immediately.""
""Seconded,"" Richard Sterling boomed, leaning back with a self-satisfied chuckle.
""Any objections?"" Eleanor asked, sweeping her cold gaze across the intimidated directors. No one dared to breathe. ""Very well. The motion is car—""
The heavy double oak doors of the boardroom swung open with an explosive crash.
Julian walked in. He wore a crisp midnight-blue three-piece suit, his posture regal, his face commanding. Beside him walked Catherine, stunning in a high-necked navy silk dress, her head held high despite the pale exhaustion beneath her eyes. And in her arms, wrapped in a blanket bearing the golden crest of the Vance estate, was Leo.
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A collective gasp swept through the room. Victoria sprang from her seat, her face draining of all color. ""Security! Get this woman out of here!""
""Touch her, and you'll spend twenty years in federal penitentiary,"" Julian’s voice boomed across the boardroom, vibrating with absolute authority. He dropped a heavy stack of certified documents onto the center of the marble table. ""Take your seats. The real meeting is about to begin.""
