Chapter 12 - Crashing the Boardroom
On the fiftieth floor of the Sterling-Vance Plaza, the boardroom was packed with investors, attorneys, and press. Richard Sterling stood at the head of the mahogany table, adjusting his silk tie with a triumphant smile. Marcus sat beside him, radiating smug authority.
""Due to the tragic emotional breakdown and disappearance of Miss Elena Vance,"" Richard announced into the sea of microphones, ""the board hereby ratifies the emergency transition of leadership. Her father’s legacy is in safe hands.""
""I wouldn't sign that paperwork just yet, Richard,"" a clear, commanding voice rang out from the double oak doors.
The room froze. Heads turned in unison as the doors swung wide. Elena walked in, clad in a razor-sharp charcoal suit, her blonde hair sleek and severe. Flanking her was Christian, his presence radiating pure, suffocating menace. Behind them, two of Christian’s security operatives escorted a handcuffed, weeping Victoria Adams.
Pandemonium erupted. Camera flashes lit the room like lightning. Richard blanched, backing away from the podium as if he had seen a ghost. ""Elena? You... this is impossible!""
""You tried to strip me of my dignity in front of God and the city,"" Elena said, stepping toward the table, every eye glued to her. ""You tried to bleed my father's company dry through offshore accounts with my best friend. And when that failed, you sent hitmen to Christian Vance's home.""
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""Lies! Defamation!"" Marcus roared, slamming his palms on the table. ""Security, remove these intruders immediately!""
""Security answers to the majority shareholder, Marcus,"" Christian’s deep voice silenced the room. He tossed the blue maritime registry onto the center of the mahogany table. ""Elena and I were married last night. Our combined shares total sixty-two percent. You and your son have three minutes to vacate the building before federal marshals arrive.""
