Chapter 10 - The Boardroom Purge
The atmosphere in the Sterling Vanguard boardroom was completely toxic, thick with unspoken panic and intense speculation. At 8:00 AM sharp, Julian walked into the glass-walled room on the fiftieth floor of the corporate headquarters. He did not look like a man who had almost been murdered the night before; he looked like an apex predator ready to strike.
Fifteen board members, older men and women in tailored suits, sat in absolute silence as Julian took his position at the head of the long oak table.
"I assume you have all read the morning news briefs," Julian began, his voice echoing loudly in the spacious room. "Marcus Thorne and my former fiancée, Victoria Thorne, are currently sitting in federal holding cells, charged with attempted murder and corporate conspiracy."
A nervous murmur rippled through the executives. Arthur Pendelton, the senior vice president, cleared his throat anxiously. "Julian, the stock prices are already taking a massive hit in the pre-market trading. The press is calling it a bloody corporate coup. We need to issue a statement distancing the company from Marcus immediately."
"A statement is already being drafted," Julian replied coldly. "But we are doing much more than issuing a press release. I am ordering a total, forensic audit of every single department Marcus had his hands on. I want his financial records, his offshore accounts, and his private communications ripped apart by our external security teams."
"Julian, that will paralyze the supply chain operations," Arthur protested weakly.
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"I don't care if it paralyzes the entire western hemisphere," Julian snapped, slamming his hands flat on the table. The sharp sound made half the board flinch. "Marcus tried to poison me with a military-grade neurotoxin in the middle of a crowded gala. He did not operate alone within this building. I want to know exactly who approved his budgets, who signed off on his phantom projects, and who looked the other way."
Julian glared at the terrified executives, his eyes burning with absolute authority. "Consider this a purge. If any of you knew about his plans, resign right now. Because when I find out—and I will find out—I will ruin you completely."
