Chapter 3 - THE SNAKE IN THE BOARDROOM
The next morning, the grand glass headquarters of Vance International was buzzing with rumors. The news of the attempted assassination had leaked to the press, sending the company's stock plummeting by twelve percent in early trading.
Julian Vance, Arthur's younger brother and Vice Chairman of the board, strutted into the top-floor boardroom wearing a tailored charcoal suit, a smug smile plastered across his face. He sat at the head of the conference table, surrounded by eager board members and lawyers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tragic as these events are, we must face reality," Julian announced, leaning forward on his elbows. "My brother Arthur is clearly traumatized. He's making wild accusations against his own wife, holding her hostage at the estate, and relying on the testimony of a street vagrant. The market is panicking. For the survival of Vance International, I am invoking Clause 9—temporary emergency succession."
"Not so fast, Julian."
The heavy oak doors swung open. Arthur walked into the boardroom. He wasn't alone.
By his side was Toby, now scrubbed clean, wearing a bespoke children's navy suit that mirrored Arthur's exact attire. Standing behind them were four armed private security officers and two federal agents.
Julian's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered his calm demeanor. "Arthur! Thank God you're safe. But bringing a child to an emergency board meeting? You see, board members? He's lost his mind."
"I haven't lost my mind, Julian. I've just found my legacy," Arthur said, his voice echoing with absolute authority. He placed a hand on Toby's shoulder. "This is Toby Vance. My biological son and sole legal heir."
A sharp collective gasp rippled through the room. Board members began whispering furiously.
Julian chuckled nervously, standing up. "A son? Arthur, you're desperate. You pull a random kid off the street and claim he's a Vance? Where is the DNA test? Where is the proof?"
"Right here," Arthur said, snapping his fingers.
Leo stepped forward and dropped a thick medical dossier onto the center of the glass table. "A rush paternity test conducted at Memorial Hospital three hours ago. A 99.9% match."
Julian’s face went pale, but he quickly sneered. "So what? Even if he is your bastard child, it changes nothing! Victoria is still facing illegal detention, and you are unfit to lead. The board votes today!"
"The board won't be voting for you, Julian," Toby suddenly spoke up, his young voice ringing clear across the silent room.
Julian glared at the boy. "Shut your mouth, kid. Adults are talking."
"I recognized your voice," Toby said, staring straight into Julian's eyes without flinching. "Last night... behind the hedge. You weren't just the one paying the man. You were the one standing next to Victoria."
"That's slander!" Julian shouted, slamming his fist on the table. "You have no proof!"
"Actually, we do," Arthur said calmly. He pulled a small silver USB drive from his pocket and threw it onto the table. "Thomas, the mechanic, wasn't as clever as you thought. When my men caught him at the airport an hour ago, he gave us the audio recording he made of you promising him two million dollars to cut those lines."
Julian froze. He looked around the room, realizing that every single board member was now looking at him with utter disgust.
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"This is a setup!" Julian screamed, backing away toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. "You ruined my life thirty years ago, Arthur! You took the company! You took everything! Victoria was mine first!"
"I know," Arthur said quietly. "And that was your biggest mistake."
