Chapter 12 - The Gates of the Citadel
The glass-and-steel monolith of the Vance Maritime Tower pierced the gray morning fog of downtown Manhattan.
On the forty-second floor, the executive boardroom was bathed in the cold glow of multiple presentation monitors. Twelve board members sat in tense silence, their eyes fixed on Victoria Vance, who sat at the head of the long mahogany conference table. She wore a tailored black mourning dress, a diamond pendant resting at her throat. Her face was pale, but her posture was victorious.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Victoria’s attorney announced, resting his hands on the podium. "In light of the tragic events at Blackwood Manor last night, and the subsequent flight from justice by former CEO Julian Vance, the board must activate Section 9 of the corporate charter. All executive voting rights revert to the spouse until a court-appointed trustee takes over."
"Has the body been recovered?" one of the senior board members asked nervously. "The authorities reported heavy fire, but no confirmation of Julian's death."
"Julian is a fugitive," Victoria said smoothly, her tone laced with faux sorrow. "He fled to avoid federal indictment for crimes he committed against this very company. We must preserve our share value. Sign the proxy, gentlemen."
The board members began reaching for their pens, murmuring in reluctant agreement.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors of the boardroom swung open with tremendous force, banging against the interior walls.
Two security guards were tossed backward onto the plush carpeting, sprawling helplessly.
Walking through the threshold was Lucas, his hands visible and empty, but his stance radiating lethal authority. Behind him walked Julian Vance, his arm held in a sling, his gray eyes burning with righteous fury.
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And between them, walking with her head held high, was Clara. She wore a simple, elegant dark coat, Eleanor’s gold locket gleaming against her throat.
"Put the pens down," Julian’s voice boomed across the boardroom, silencing every whisper in an instant.
