Chapter 9 - The Trap SpreadsThe next morning, the grand auditorium at Vance Global Headquarters was packed with over two hundred reporters, financial analysts, and high-profile shareholders.
Richard Vance walked through the back stage corridor wearing a sharp gray suit, accompanied by Victoria, who wore an elegant midnight-blue dress. Both carried themselves with an air of smug victory.
"The judge signed the preliminary order for the psychiatric hearing this morning," Victoria whispered, squeezing Richard's arm. "Once the press sees you taking charge today, the stock price will stabilize, and the board will have no choice but to appoint you interim CEO."
"Did your father destroy the original offshore ledger files?" Richard asked nervously.
"Wiped completely," Victoria replied with a cold grin. "There's no paper trail left linking my father's firm to those shell accounts. Today, Elena loses everything."
The stage lights beamed down as Richard stepped up to the podium, flashing a practiced, confident smile at the row of flashing cameras.
"Thank you all for coming," Richard began, adjusting his microphone. "As many of you know, recent events at the Grand Oak Estate have raised unfortunate questions regarding the management of Vance Global Enterprises. It is true that my cousin, Miss Elena Vance, holds a significant equity stake in our trust. However, due to her prolonged isolation and recent troubling behavior, our legal team has filed for emergency corporate stewardship to protect the company's five thousand employees..."
Before Richard could finish his sentence, the heavy wooden doors at the back of the auditorium clicked open.
The room fell into an instant, dead silence.
May you like
Elena Vance rolled into the auditorium. She was no longer wearing her teal nurse’s uniform.
She wore a bespoke black tailored blazer, her dark hair styled with elegant precision, and a simple silver heirloom brooch—her grandmother's—pinned to her lapel. Behind her walked Thomas Wright and two armed federal marshals.
Related Stories
