Chapter 9: The Boardroom Coup
Julian entered the top-floor boardroom of Vane Tower three hours late. The room was tense. Twelve senior board members sat around the mahogany table, flanked by high-powered corporate attorneys. Cassandra sat at the head of the table, holding a pen over a legal dossier.
"You missed the press conference, Julian," said Arthur's former confidant and lead director, Marcus Vance. "Cassandra had to read the statement on your behalf."
Julian walked to the front of the room, tossing the lead box onto the glass table.
"What is the meaning of this?" Marcus demanded.
"That box contains the original 1912 land grants for Blackwood Manor," Julian said, his voice echoing in the silent room. "Along with sworn testimonies and forensic evidence proving my father committed arson and fraud to establish this firm."
The directors exchanged panicked glances. Cassandra’s face went dead pale, but her eyes flared with rage.
"Julian is suffering from extreme psychological fatigue," Cassandra said smoothly, turning to the board. "The stress of the Apex merger has clearly compromised his judgment. I move for an immediate vote under Bylaw 4B to temporarily transfer CEO authority to myself."
"Seconded," Marcus said instantly.
"You don't understand," Julian said, looking around the room at the men who had profited off his father's theft. "This isn't a board meeting anymore. It's a crime scene."
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"Vote on the motion!" Cassandra demanded, her voice sharp as steel.
Every hand at the table went up, except Julian's.
