Chapter 8 - The Shadow in the BoardroomThree weeks later, my life had transformed into something out of a fairy tale—complete with all the dragons.
While Marcus’s public declaration had won the hearts of the public, it had also ignited a firestorm within the corporate hierarchy of Whitmore Technologies.
I was sitting in the private penthouse nursery when my phone buzzed. It wasn't Marcus. It was an unfamiliar text message from an unknown number.
“If you think a billionaire’s love story is going to save you, Emily, you’re gravely mistaken. Step away from Marcus, or you and your baby will pay the price.”
My breath caught in my throat. My hands trembled as I stared at the screen. Before I could even process the threat, the door to the penthouse slammed open.
Vance sprinted into the hallway, his face pale, breathing heavily.
“Ms. Carter! We have an emergency!” Vance shouted urgently.
I stood up, holding Annie protectively. “Vance? What’s wrong? Is it Marcus?”
“Mr. Whitmore is currently trapped in an emergency board meeting downstairs,” Vance said rapidly, pulling out a tablet. “The board of directors, led by Arthur Sterling, has invoked a hostile corporate coup. They’re claiming Marcus is mentally compromised and unfit to lead due to his public attachment to you. They are voting to strip him of his CEO title right this second!”
My blood ran cold. “A coup? Can they do that?”
“If they prove he’s acting against the financial interests of the company—using corporate resources for personal protection, bringing unverified private citizens into the inner circle—yes, they can freeze his assets and oust him!” Vance said grimly. “And right now, Sterling has leaked fabricated financial documents accusing you of being a corporate spy planted by a rival tech firm to sabotage Whitmore Tech!”
A suffocating wave of horror washed over me.
They were using me to destroy him. They were framing me as a weapon to strip Marcus of everything he had built.
“Take me down there,” I said, my voice suddenly hardening with absolute resolve.
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Vance blinked in surprise. “Ms. Carter, the boardroom is a war zone. You shouldn't—”
“Take me down there right now,” I repeated, handing a sleeping Annie to the trusted nanny. “Marcus stood in front of the entire world for me. It’s my turn to stand up for him.”
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