Chapter 5 - THE THIRTY-BILLION-DOLLAR SECRETThe boardroom went dead silent. The board members, who had been ready to back Victor seconds ago, suddenly turned their heads to stare at the CEO in shock.
"What... what nonsense are you talking about?" Victor stammered, his face twitching slightly. "That fund was allocated for the Apex Holdings acquisition!"
"The Apex acquisition was finalized six months ago, Victor," Hannah spoke up, her voice crystal clear as she stepped forward and opened the binder.
During her three years of unemployment after college, Hannah hadn't just cleaned floors—she had spent her nights studying corporate finance ledgers and supply chain management, preparing for an opportunity that never came. When Julian had handed her the company’s preliminary financial file in the car, her sharp mind had caught the discrepancy immediately.
"I reviewed the district logistics accounts this morning," Hannah continued, flipping to a highlighted page and displaying it on the large presentation screen. "Patterson Market Store #402 wasn't failing because of store managers like Brent Lawson. It was failing because twelve percent of its inventory was being phantom-routed through 'Vance Logistics Subsidiary B'. A company entirely owned by you, Victor."
Victor’s eyes bulged with rage. "You arrogant little trash! You dare accuse me—"
"It’s not an accusation, Victor," Julian interrupted calmly, pulling out his phone. "It’s a criminal indictment. Federal auditors are currently standing downstairs in the lobby with a search warrant for your hard drives."
Victor looked around the room, searching for help from the board members he had bribed. But one by one, they averted their eyes, terrified of being tied to his sinking ship.
Arthur Vance slowly stood up from his chair, using his cane for support. The weakness in his face was gone, replaced by the terrifying aura of a man who had built an empire from nothing. He looked at his nephew with cold disappointment.
"You thought I was blind, Victor," Arthur said softly. "You thought my old age made me weak. I didn't go to Patterson Market on Saturday to inspect the floor workers. I went there because I knew you were using that specific district to launder money. I wanted to see if anyone in my company still had a soul before I tore it down."
Arthur walked over to Hannah, placing a heavy, warm hand on her shoulder.
"And I found my answer," Arthur said, turning to the board. "Victor Vance is relieved of his duties as CEO, effective immediately. He will be escorted off the premises by federal marshals."
Two armed federal agents stepped into the boardroom, grabbing Victor by the arms.
"You'll regret this, Arthur!" Victor screamed as he was dragged backward toward the door, his polished shoes scuffing against the marble floor. "She’s a nobody! A dirty cleaner! She’s going to destroy this company! And you, Hannah Reed... you think you've won? You have no idea what's coming for you!"
As Victor’s screams faded down the hallway, Arthur turned to the quiet room.
"Members of the board," Arthur announced, his voice ringing with absolute authority. "I am calling an extraordinary shareholder meeting for tomorrow morning. I am making a permanent amendment to the Vance Family Trust."
He looked at Hannah with tears in his eyes.
"I have no children. My nephew is a thief. But this young woman saved my life—not with money, but with humanity. Tomorrow, I am officially naming Hannah Reed as the sole heir to my fifty-one percent controlling stake in Vance Enterprises."
The room erupted into chaos.
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Hannah staggered back, her hand clutching her chest. "Mr. Vance... no... thirty billion dollars? I can't take this! I don't belong in this world!"
Arthur smiled gently at her. "You belong here more than anyone, my dear. But prepare yourself... because tomorrow, the rest of my family finds out."
