Chapter 3 - THE SNAKE SHOWS HER FANGS
The following morning, the financial world woke up to absolute chaos.
Headlines across major news outlets exploded: "BILLIONAIRE RICHARD VANCE OUSTED FROM HIS OWN EMPIRE!" "VICTORIA STERLING NAMED INTERIM CEO OF VANCE ENTERPRISES!" "STOCK PRICES PLUMMET AS VANCE FAMILY DRAMA ESCALATES!"
Inside the penthouse suite of Vance Enterprises, Victoria sat in Richard's former leather executive chair, looking out over the city skyline. She was drinking fresh espresso, fully enjoying the sweetness of power.
Her brother, Arthur, walked in, looking slightly anxious.
"Victoria, we have a problem," Arthur said, placing a tablet on her desk. "We froze Richard's personal accounts, but his legal team hasn't filed a single lawsuit against us today. That doesn't make sense. Richard is aggressive. He should be suing us in federal court right now."
Victoria waved her hand dismissively. "He's broke, Arthur. His liquid assets are locked. He’s taking care of his little peasant daughter in some filthy motel. Without money, lawyers won't work for him. Besides, the board is firmly in our pocket."
"What about the media?" Arthur pressed. "If he goes to the press about how we treated the girl..."
"Let him try," Victoria laughed coldly. "Who will believe a broken, paranoid old man over us? We control the public relations firm. If he talks, we simply leak stories that he went insane, that he was abusing his daughter himself, and that I was forced to step in to protect the company. Public opinion will tear him apart."
Suddenly, the doors to the office burst open.
Julian ran in, looking pale and sweating profusely. "Mom! You need to look at this!"
He turned on the massive television mounted on the office wall.
A live broadcast from the City Central Press Club was playing. On the stage stood Richard Vance. But he didn't look like a defeated, broken man. He was wearing a sharp, custom-tailored charcoal suit, his hair neatly styled, looking as commanding and formidable as ever.
Beside him sat three of the most famous, highly paid corporate defense attorneys in the world—men who charged ten thousand dollars an hour and only accepted payment in gold or Swiss wire transfers.
"Is he... is he holding a press conference?!" Victoria gasped, standing up from her chair.
On the screen, Richard leaned toward the microphone. His voice echoed through millions of televisions across the country.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press," Richard said, his expression cold and stone-faced. "As many of you know, an illegal hostile takeover was executed yesterday at Vance Enterprises by my former wife, Victoria Sterling, and her corrupt associates."
The room erupted into flashes of camera light and loud questions from reporters.
Richard raised his hand, instantly bringing the room to absolute silence.
"I am not here today to ask for your sympathy," Richard continued, staring directly into the camera lens—looking straight into Victoria’s eyes through the broadcast. "I am here to announce three things."
"First, I have launched a $10 billion criminal and civil lawsuit against Victoria Sterling, Arthur Sterling, and eight corrupt members of the Board of Directors for corporate fraud, grand larceny, and conspiracy."
Victoria’s jaw dropped. "Ten billion?! Where did he get the money for those lawyers?!"
"Second," Richard said, his voice dropping an octave, filled with icy fury. "I am placing a reward of $100 million for any whistleblower within Vance Enterprises who provides evidence of tax evasion, money laundering, or illegal operations conducted by Victoria Sterling or her family over the past five years."
Arthur slumped into a chair, his face turning pale. "$100 million cash reward? He’s insane! He's going to turn our own employees against us!"
"And third," Richard said, leaning closer to the camera, his eyes narrowing. "To Victoria Sterling: You took my company. You abused my daughter. You thought you could strip me of everything and leave me to die in the gutter. But you forgot one simple rule of business, Victoria..."
Richard paused, a terrifying smile breaking across his face.
"...I don't just own Vance Enterprises. I own the land beneath it. And as of 8:00 AM this morning, I have officially bought out the primary debt notes of every bank holding your personal assets. You have 48 hours to pay back your $400 million personal loans, Victoria. Or I will take everything you own. Including the clothes on your back."
Richard stood up, adjusted his tie, and walked off the stage, leaving the press corps in an absolute frenzy.
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Inside the executive office, Victoria dropped her espresso cup. It shattered on the expensive rug, dark liquid spreading like blood.
"Find out where he's getting his money!" Victoria shrieked at Arthur, her voice cracking with pure panic. "FIND OUT WHO IS BACKING HIM RIGHT NOW!"
