Chapter 9 - The Boardroom Ambush
|
The boardroom on the 60th floor was a masterpiece of mahogany and glass, offering a panoramic view of the city.
Marcus Crane stood at the head of the massive table, surrounded by twelve anxious, powerful board members. He looked the part of the grieving brother perfectly, wearing a dark suit, his expression solemn and commanding.
"Gentlemen," Marcus began, his voice echoing in the quiet room. "We have waited three weeks. The police have exhausted their leads. The reality we must face is that my brother, Dominic, is gone. In order to stabilize the stock price and assure our investors, I must be officially voted in as CEO immediately."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the older board members.
"Are there any objections before we call the vote?" Marcus asked, a triumphant, arrogant smile touching the corners of his mouth.
The heavy double doors of the boardroom swung open with a deafening crash.
The room fell entirely, completely silent.
Dominic Crane walked into the boardroom.
He didn't look like a dead man. He looked like a god of war returning from the abyss. His tailored suit was immaculate, his gray eyes burning with a terrifying, apocalyptic fury. Silas walked closely behind him, his hand resting comfortably on his holstered weapon.
"I have an objection," Dominic stated, his voice a low, lethal rumble that froze the blood of every man in the room.
Marcus staggered backward, all the color draining from his handsome face. He looked as though the devil himself had just walked through the door.
"Dominic?" a board member gasped, standing up so fast his chair tipped over.
"It's a miracle," another whispered.
"It's not a miracle," Dominic said coldly, walking slowly toward the head of the table. "It's a resurrection."
Marcus opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His absolute, perfect plan was disintegrating in real-time.
"Dominic! Thank God!" Marcus suddenly cried out, attempting to pivot, spreading his arms as if to embrace his brother. "Where have you been? We thought you were dead!"
Dominic didn't stop walking. He didn't smile. When he reached Marcus, he didn't return the embrace.
Dominic’s right fist shot out with blinding speed and devastating force, striking Marcus squarely in the jaw.
The sickening crack of bone echoed through the boardroom. Marcus was lifted entirely off his feet, crashing violently onto the mahogany table, shattering a crystal pitcher of water.
Screams erupted from the board members as they scrambled away from the violence.
"Sit down!" Silas roared, drawing his weapon and aiming it at the ceiling. The board members instantly froze, dropping back into their chairs in sheer terror.
Dominic grabbed Marcus by the collar of his expensive suit, hauling his dazed, bleeding brother up from the table.
"You threw me down the stairs to bleed to death in the dark, Marcus," Dominic whispered, his voice a terrifying void of emotion, loud enough for the entire room to hear. "You tried to steal my company. You threatened the woman who saved my life."
May you like
"You... you can't prove anything!" Marcus spat blood onto the floor, desperate and panicked.
"I don't need to prove anything to the police, brother," Dominic smiled, a dark, chilling expression. "Because you aren't going to jail."
