Chapter 34 - The Phantom CEO | By sunrise, the media was in a absolute frenzy.
‘MASSIVE EXPLOSION AT VANCE ESTATE: CECLIA/CLAIRE PRESUMED DEAD.’
The headlines flashed across every news channel in the country. The stock market had opened with a catastrophic drop in Vance Global’s share value. The board of directors was panicking, calling emergency meetings to appoint an interim successor.
Sitting in the glass-walled basement of an unmarked safe house in downtown Manhattan, I watched the television screen with a calm, deliberate focus. Julian Vance stood behind me, pouring two glasses of scotch.
"They think you're ash, Claire," Julian said, handing me a glass. "The market is going to strip your company down to the bone by noon."
"Let them think I'm dead," I said, taking a sip. "It makes them careless."
"Who do you think pulled Mara's strings?" Julian asked, leaning against the steel table. "It wasn't Richard. He didn't have the tactical reach to pull off a multi-pronged assault like that."
I pointed to the television screen. The news was currently interviewing Arthur Pendelton, the senior board member who had hesitated during yesterday's vote. He was crying fake tears for the camera, lamenting the 'tragedy' of my passing.
"Look at his left wrist," I said softly.
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Julian squinted at the monitor. "A platinum Patek Philippe watch. What about it?"
"Arthur claimed he was bankrupt three months ago when the initial scandal hit," I explained, narrowing my eyes. "That watch costs more than his house. He didn't just vote against the buyout—he was waiting for my death so his short-position stocks would pay out billions."
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