Chapter 15 - Stripped of Everything
|
Richard looked down at the documents inside the folder. His eyes widened in absolute terror as he recognized the thick, watermarked parchment of the original bearer shares.
“No,” Richard whispered, physically backing away from the table. “That’s impossible. I destroyed those. I burned the vault documents.”
“You burned the fakes Grandma left for you to find,” Norah corrected coldly. “She gave me the real key ten years ago. These shares prove that I own sixty-two percent of this company. You are a minority shareholder, Richard. And as of this exact second, you no longer have the authority to sell a single paperclip in this building.”
The board members erupted into furious whispers, quickly realizing the power dynamic in the room had fundamentally shifted. They immediately stopped looking at Richard and turned their attention to Norah and the billionaire mafia boss standing protectively behind her.
Vanessa rushed forward, her face twisted in ugly rage. “You stole those! She’s a thief! She’s just a pathetic, fat little conservationist! She doesn't know how to run a company!”
Vanessa raised her hand to slap Norah.
Before Vanessa’s hand could even come down, Adrien moved with terrifying speed. He caught Vanessa’s wrist in a grip of iron, stopping her mid-swing. The sound of her bones grinding together made several board members wince.
“Touch her again,” Adrien whispered, his voice a demonic rasp, “and you won't have a hand to wear your cheap jewelry on.”
He shoved Vanessa backward, sending her crashing into a leather chair.
Norah didn't even flinch. She looked around the table at the board members.
“The proposed fire sale of the Michigan Avenue properties is vetoed,” Norah announced with absolute authority. “Furthermore, as majority shareholder, I am officially removing Richard Bennett as CEO, effective immediately. Vanessa Bennett is terminated from her VP position. Security will escort you both from the building. You have ten minutes to clear your desks.”
May you like
Richard fell into his chair, weeping openly. Vanessa sobbed, clutching her bruised wrist.
Norah looked down at them, feeling no pity. “Next time you assign seats at a dinner party, make sure you know who actually owns the table.”
