Chapter 7 - The Mastermind's Final StrikeAt 8:55 AM, the executive boardroom on the 80th floor of the Vale Enterprises Tower was packed to capacity.
Evelyn Vale sat at the head of the polished glass table, dressed in a sleek black suit. Beside her sat Celeste Arden and Bianca Rowe, both wearing satisfied, malicious smiles. Across the table were the terrified members of the Board of Directors.
"It is 8:55 AM," Evelyn announced, tapping her platinum pen against the glass. "Adrian Vale is currently a fugitive from justice. Senator King is... unavailable. Under Section 4 of the corporate bylaws, in the absence of the CEO under criminal indictment, I hereby assume emergency voting command."
"Wait!" one elderly board member protested. "We haven't verified the SEC charges against Mr. Vale!"
"The SEC warrant speaks for itself," Celeste chimed in, tossing her manicured hand. "Adrian was embezzling money! He even gave black cards to servants! The man has lost his mind."
"Indeed," Bianca added, smiling for the news camera positioned at the back of the room. "The company needs stable, noble leadership. Evelyn is the logical choice."
Evelyn raised her hand. "Let us take the vote. All in favor of revoking Adrian Vale’s executive power and installing me as CEO..."
"I vote NO," a powerful voice boomed from the double doors.
The boardroom doors swung open violently.
Adrian Vale strode into the room, flanked by four federal agents and the District Attorney. Beside him walked Elena Brooks—no longer wearing her maid's uniform, but dressed in a stunning, tailored navy-blue silk suit, her hair styled in elegant waves, her eyes radiating command.
The room gasped instantly. Cameras flashed furiously!
Evelyn slammed her hands on the table, standing up in a rage. "Adrian! How dare you show your face here! Guards, arrest this fugitive!"
"The only fugitives here are sitting at your side, Evelyn," the District Attorney announced, holding up official court clearance documents. "All criminal charges against Adrian Vale have been formally dropped. Senator Richard King and Marcus Bell are currently in federal custody, having signed full confessions detailing your conspiracy to frame Mr. Vale."
Celeste and Bianca turned white as snow, shrinking back into their leather chairs.
"This is ridiculous!" Evelyn shrieked, her composure breaking. "Even if he isn't arrested, his shares are frozen under the divorce audit clause! You cannot vote, Adrian! I hold the majority!"
"You hold 45%," Elena stepped forward, her voice carrying an authority that silenced the entire boardroom. She placed the East Harbor Trust ledger firmly in the center of the glass table. "I hold 12% through the restored Vance Pension Trust. And as trustee, I vote ALL 12% in favor of Adrian Vale."
Evelyn stared at Elena in blind fury. "You?! You are a filthy maid! You clean my former house's toilets! You have no standing here!"
Elena met Evelyn’s furious glare without a single drop of fear.
"Six years ago, you framed my father, Arthur Vance, and stole his company," Elena said, her voice dropping into a thrilling tone of pure reckoning. "Today, his daughter took it back. You are stripped of your board seat, Evelyn. Effective immediately."
"NO!" Evelyn screamed.
"Security," Adrian commanded softly. "Escort these women out of my building. Permanently."
As security guards grabbed Evelyn, Celeste, and Bianca, dragging them away amidst the flashing cameras of the media, the entire board of directors stood up and began to applaud.
Adrian turned to Elena, his heart full. The victory was complete.
Or so he thought.
Suddenly, Elena’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She looked down at the screen, and the color drained completely from her face.
"Elena? What's wrong?" Adrian asked, taking her hand.
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Elena looked up at Adrian, her eyes filled with sudden, agonizing shock. "The vault... my father’s original corporate safe in the basement of Vale Tower... someone just opened it."
👇 CONTINUED IN CHAP 8
