Chapter 4 - The Boardroom Coup
The next morning, the grand boardroom on the 50th floor of the Vance Tower was packed. The air was thick with tension. Stockholders and board members whispered furiously as Victor Vance sat at the head of the table, a smug, victorious smile plastered across his face. Elena sat right beside him, dressed in a sharp, black mourning outfit, playing the role of a grieving, stressed wife perfectly.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Victor announced, standing up. "It is with a heavy heart that I call this meeting to order. My brother, Richard, has suffered a severe mental breakdown following a tragic medical emergency involving his wife last night. He is currently incapacitated. Therefore, under Article 4 of the bylaws, I am moving to strip him of his chairmanship and assume full control of Vance Enterprises."
"I object!"
The heavy double doors of the boardroom swung open.
Clara marched in, flanked by two men in dark suits. But she was alone. Richard was nowhere to be seen.
Victor’s smile widened. "Clara, dear. This is a private board meeting. Your father isn't here. In fact, I hear he’s currently confined to his bed, barely able to speak. Security, please escort my niece out."
"He isn't in bed, Victor," Clara said, her voice echoing through the silent room. She turned to the board members. "And he isn't crazy. My father is currently at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, handing over twenty years of evidence detailing Victor Vance's insider trading, tax evasion, and embezzlement."
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Elena stood up, her face tight. "You’re bluffing! Richard doesn't have that kind of evidence! He’s a dying old man!"
"He was dying," Clara countered, stepping up to the table. "Because you were poisoning him. But last night, we didn't just record your confession on the security cameras, Elena. We saved the tea. The FBI labs have already confirmed it was laced with lethal doses of digitalis."
