Brandon snorted, adjusting the collar of his designer shirt as if he were king of the castle. He took a slow, deliberate step toward me, crossing his arms over his chest. The smirk on his face was dripping with unearned confidence.

Inside the executive boardroom, Brandon sat at the edge of his leather chair, constantly checking his watch and wiping sweat from his forehead. He was wearing his best navy suit, trying desperately to project the image of a successful, confident CEO. Beside him sat his chief financial officer, looking equally nervous.

"Relax, Brandon," his CFO whispered. "The loan approval was pre-screened. Once we upload the property deeds as collateral, the funds will be wired within two hours. We can pay off the urgent creditors by noon."

"I know, I know," Brandon muttered, though his heart was hammering against his ribs. "I just had a crazy night. My idiot brother-in-law pulled a power move at the beach house last night. Called the cops on us. But it doesn't matter. Once I get this $1.2 million, I'll buy out his legal claims and buy that damn house right out from under him."

The heavy double doors of the boardroom swung open.

Brandon immediately leapt to his feet, putting on his standard salesman smile. "Good morning, gentlemen! I'm Brandon Miller, CEO of Miller Global—"

His voice died in his throat.

Stepping into the room wasn't a panel of elderly bankers. Walking in was Clarissa Harrington, followed by four high-powered corporate litigation attorneys. And behind them, dressed in an impeccably tailored charcoal suit, was me.

Brandon’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "Ryan?! What the hell are you doing here? This is a private financial meeting! Security!"

"Sit down, Brandon," I said, taking my seat at the head of the conference table—the broad, high-backed leather chair reserved exclusively for the Chairman of the Board.

"Are you insane?!" Brandon shrieked, pointing at me. "You can't be in here! I am meeting with the principal investors of East Coast Capital to finalize a major commercial credit line! Get out before I have you arrested for stalking!"

Clarissa calmly placed a folder on the center table and opened it.

"Mr. Miller," Clarissa said smoothly. "Allow me to introduce you to the majority shareholder and Chairman of East Coast Capital... Mr. Ryan Vance."

The air was sucked clean out of the room.

Brandon’s CFO gasped, turning to Brandon with wide, terrified eyes. "Brandon... you said the Chairman was an anonymous private investor!"

Brandon’s knees buckled. He grabbed the edge of the table to steady himself, his face draining of all color. "No... no, that's impossible. You're just a medium-level tech consultant! Nicole said you make six figures! You can't own a bank!"

"Nicole knows what I choose to let her know," I said, leaning forward and resting my chin on my laced fingers. "I built Apex Venture Holdings ten years ago, Brandon. I keep a low profile because I don't need to drive a lifted truck or shout in old people's faces to feel powerful."

I gestured to the legal documents in front of me.

"Now, let's talk about your loan application."

Brandon couldn't breathe. He looked like a man standing on a trapdoor with the rope already tight around his neck. "Ryan... listen... let's talk about this as family—"

"Family?" I interrupted, my tone dropping to an icy blade. "Twelve hours ago, you threw a cardboard box at my father's feet and told him to get out of his own home. You brought my mother to tears. You forged my father's signature on a loan document to cover up the fact that you stole $800,000 from your own company's pension fund."

Brandon’s CFO stood up so fast his chair flipped backward. "What?! You stole from the pension fund, Brandon?!"

"He's lying!" Brandon screamed, his voice breaking into a panic-stricken shriek. "He's trying to set me up!"

"I don't need to set you up, Brandon," I said calmly. "The forensic audit of Miller Global Logistics was completed at 6:00 AM this morning. Every shell company, every fake invoice, every forged signature... we have it all."

I tapped the folder.

"Your loan application is denied. Furthermore, as Chairman of East Coast Capital, I am exercising our right to immediately recall all outstanding short-term debts owed by Miller Global Logistics. You have sixty minutes to settle $450,000 in existing credit line debts, or we initiate emergency liquidation proceedings against your company."