Chapter 7 - The Mastermind's Ultimatum
"You're alive," Andrew said, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the desk edge. "You faked your death... you let me build this empire thinking I was honoring your memory..."
"Honoring my memory?" The old man scoffed through the line. "You soft-hearted fool. You turned my global defense network into a charity foundation! You gave away billions to medical research! You ruined thirty years of work!"
"You tried to kill my wife!" Andrew roared. "You burned her! You tortured her for three years!"
"She was an obstacle!" Arthur Vance’s voice turned dangerously sharp. "Her father found out about my operations in Eastern Europe. He was going to expose me to the UN. I did what was necessary to protect the Vance legacy. Victoria was supposed to clear the board, marry you, and keep you under control with mild neurotoxins in your daily medication."
Andrew’s stomach turned. The "stress hallucinations" his doctor had diagnosed... the brain fog he had suffered for two years... it wasn't grief. Victoria had been poisoning his morning coffee.
"Now, Andrew, you have a choice," Arthur continued, his tone turning smooth and businesslike. "Tonight at midnight, the board will convene for an emergency vote to strip you of your CEO position due to 'mental instability.' You will step down quietly, transfer your fifty-one percent voting shares to Aegis Holdings, and take your family to live in obscure luxury in New Zealand."
"And if I refuse?" Andrew growled.
"If you refuse... the ship carrying your wife and sons to your island estate in ten minutes will never reach its destination."
Andrew’s heart dropped. He slammed his hand on the desk, looking wildly at the security monitors.
"Marcus! Where is Eleanor?"
"She... she took the boys to the family yacht fifteen minutes ago, sir!" Marcus panicked, checking his tablet. "They're already out in the bay!"
Over the phone line, Arthur Vance let out a cruel, dry laugh.
May you like
"Midnight, Andrew. Sign over the shares, or watch the night sky light up with another fire."
Click. The line went dead.
