Chapter 7 - The Inheritance of FireBy evening, Clara’s life had upended itself completely. She walked out of the Vance Global tower not as a sleep-deprived waitress owing rent to a slumlord, but as the primary stakeholder of a multi-billion-dollar maritime empire.
Yet, she didn't head to a penthouse or a luxury hotel. She took the subway back to Ridgemont Hills, walked into the Copper Kettle, and tied her faded apron back around her waist.
Her manager stared at her in utter shock. "Clara! Where the hell were you all afternoon? The morning shift was a disaster without you!"
"I quit," Clara smiled brightly, unfastening her apron and tossing it onto the counter. "Actually, correction—I just bought the building. And you're getting a hundred-percent raise, effective immediately."
Before the manager could process the absurdity of her words, the front door jingled open.
It wasn't a customer looking for stale coffee and eggs. It was a sleek, black limousine that pulled right up to the diner's curb. The door opened, and Vance Senior stepped out, leaning slightly on an ivory-handled cane, flanked by two federal prosecutors and a battery of financial advisors.
The regular patrons sitting at the sticky vinyl booths froze, their forks halfway to their mouths.
Vance Senior walked straight to Clara, ignoring the gaping stares of the townspeople. He tipped his hat respectfully. "The board has officially ratified the emergency transition, Madame Chairman. But there’s still one small matter of business left unfinished."
"What’s that?" Clara asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Spencer’s legal team filed an emergency injunction from jail," the old man said, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "They claim you acquired your shares under 'duress and suspicious circumstances,' and they've frozen the company accounts until a judge hears the motion tomorrow morning."
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Clara let out a short, dry laugh. "They really don't know when to quit, do they?"
"Never underestimate a rat backed into a corner," Vance Senior replied smoothly. "Which is why we need to strike first. Are you ready to see how the shipping business really works?"
