Chapter 15 - The Blueprint of a Empire
Spring arrived with a sudden, violent rainstorm that washed away the last traces of winter slush across the city.
Inside the executive suite of Wellington Industries, Julian—our former park-bench homeless programmer turned lead architect—was projecting a 3D holographic model of the new community outreach center onto the central glass table.
"The primary shelter wing is fully funded," Julian reported, clicking a laser pointer against the digital floor plan. "And the free medical clinic on the ground floor will have twenty-four-hour triage units. We’ve already partnered with three regional hospitals to staff them."
Marcus leaned back in his leather chair, watching me with a warm, approving smile. "You realize, Claudia, that you’ve essentially re-engineered my entire philanthropic portfolio in less than a year."
"I just redirected the resources where the infection was worst," I said, tapping my fountain pen against the blotter.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors of the office burst open without warning.
A tall, impeccably dressed woman with sharp features and cold, calculating eyes strode into the room, flanked by two high-priced corporate attorneys carrying leather briefcases.
Marcus’s expression hardened instantly.
"Elena," Marcus said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, icy register. "You are trespassing."
May you like
Elena Wellington—Marcus’s estranged younger sister and the former majority stakeholder of Wellington International’s European division—didn't even look at him. Her gaze locked directly onto me.
"So," Elena sneered, stepping right up to the edge of the conference table. "You're the suburban nurse who managed to manipulate my brother into handing over half his voting shares and a seat on the board. Let's see how long your little charitable fairy tale lasts when I invalidate your proxy in federal court."
