Chapter 75 - The Boardroom Takeover
The sun rose over Chicago, painting the glass tower of Sterling-Vance Headquarters in cold, metallic silver.
In the grand executive boardroom on the 80th floor, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The eleven board members sat in silence, staring at the double doors. Ethan sat at the head of the table, his arms crossed over his broad chest, looking like a roaring fire contained in a glass bottle. Marcus stood beside him, clutching a leather briefcase containing our defensive counters.
The heavy double doors swept open.
In walked Veronica Vance, flanked by Harrison Cross and four high-powered corporate attorneys. She wore a tailored crimson suit, her heels clicking rhythmically against the hardwood floor. She walked with my posture, smiled with my grace, and held her head with my exact arrogance.
"Good morning, gentlemen," Veronica said, her voice dropping into the smooth, commanding cadence I had spent ten years perfecting. She didn't even look at Ethan as she took the seat directly across from him. "As the legitimate biological daughter of Arthur Vance and the primary trustee of the Vance Heritage Trust, I am exercising my legal right to freeze all executive operations."
"You're an impostor running a mob scam," Ethan said quietly, his voice dangerously calm. "You and Harrison Cross belong in a federal penitentiary."
Harrison Cross chuckled softly, leaning over Veronica's chair. His face bore a faint scar near his jawline from his helicopter crash six months ago. "Careful, Mr. Vance. Defamation is an expensive mistake. The court has already validated Veronica's DNA match. As of 8:00 AM today, Victoria Vance's voting shares are suspended, and all family assets—including your residential estate—have been placed under bankruptcy receivership."
"You're evicting my children?" Ethan stood up, his massive frame towering over the table, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.
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"We are reclaiming stolen property," Veronica corrected with a chilling smile, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hands. "Your children have two hours to vacate the lake estate. If they remain on the premises after 10:00 AM, my private security detail will have them removed for criminal trespassing."
Marcus placed a reassuring hand on Ethan's shoulder before Ethan could vault across the mahogany table. "We're leaving," Marcus said coldly to Veronica. "Enjoy the chair while it lasts, fake Chairwoman. It comes with a very high price."
