Chapter 6 - Desperate Moves in the Rain
The executive boardroom on the sixty-fifth floor was silent as a tomb.
At precisely eight o'clock, I walked through the double glass doors wearing a tailored charcoal pantsuit, my hair pulled back into an elegant, severe bun. My father was already seated at the head of the table, flanked by the senior directors who had spent the last eight hours reviewing the forensic accounting files.
As I took my seat to my father’s right, the room was thick with nervous tension. Men who had condescendingly smiled at me at company picnics now sat with their hands folded flat on the mahogany table, terrified of meeting my gaze.
""Good morning, gentlemen,"" I began, placing my tablet in front of me. ""Let’s dispense with pleasantries. You have all reviewed the documentation regarding the four million dollars in unauthorized capital diversions authorized by the former Executive Vice President.""
Lawrence Montgomery, the eldest independent director, cleared his throat cautiously. ""Clara—pardon me, Ms. Vance. The evidence is undeniable. We were completely misled by Julian’s financial presentations. The board is prepared to vote unanimously to ratify your appointment as Chief Executive Officer.""
""I don't need your ratification to take control, Lawrence,"" I said calmly, looking him dead in the eye. ""My sixty-one percent voting bloc settles the matter. What I need from this board is total transparency. Anyone who signed off on Julian’s side deals without proper audit verification has until five o'clock today to submit their voluntary resignation. You will receive standard retirement packages without bonuses. If you force an internal investigation, you will leave in handcuffs.""
Three directors turned noticeably pale. Before the meeting adjourned forty minutes later, two of them had already pushed their handwritten resignation letters across the table.
While I was reorganizing the corporate executive committee, Julian was spiraling through the lower depths of the city.
Cut off from his accounts, Julian had taken a subway to Victoria's luxury high-rise apartment in Tribeca. Soaked in rainwater and smelling of stale alcohol, he pounded on her front door, expecting a sanctuary.
When the door finally cracked open, Victoria didn't look like the glamorous marketing executive from the gala. She wore an oversized sweater, her face devoid of makeup, and her apartment behind her was filled with moving boxes.
""Julian?"" she gasped, looking around the hallway in acute paranoia. ""What the hell are you doing here? Are you insane?""
""Victoria, baby, let me in,"" Julian pleaded, trying to push past her into the warm apartment. ""Clara took everything. She locked my cards, she had the board vote me out—I need a place to crash until my attorney sorts this out.""
Victoria shoved him back with surprising force, her eyes wild with fury. ""Get away from me! Do you know what happened this morning? Vance Technologies' legal team showed up at my brother's office with federal marshals! They froze our corporate entity! They are suing me for four hundred thousand dollars!""
""We can fight it!"" Julian argued, his voice cracking into a desperate whine. ""We have the documentation! We'll hire a top-tier litigation firm—""
""With what money, Julian?"" Victoria screamed, laughing hysterically. ""You don't have a dime! You’re broke! You were only useful to me because you were supposed to be the CEO! Now you're just an unemployed felon with a domestic abuse charge hanging over your head!""
""Victoria, I left my wife for you!"" Julian roared, grabbing her wrist. ""You kissed me on that stage! You swore you loved me!""
""Let go of me, you pathetic loser!"" Victoria shrieked, wrenching her arm free and slamming the heavy door in his face.
Click. Clack. The deadbolts engaged one after another.
Julian stood in the carpeted hallway of the luxury building, pounding his fists against the door until the building superintendent emerged from the elevator with two armed security officers.
""Sir, you need to leave the premises immediately,"" the superintendent warned, his hand resting near his radio. ""Ms. Davis has requested an escort to remove you. If you don't step into the elevator right now, we are calling the NYPD.""
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Julian looked at the closed door, then at the two guards. The cold reality crashed down on him with crushing finality. Victoria hadn't loved him. The board members hadn't respected him. The employees hadn't admired him.
They had worshipped the Vance power. And the moment that power was stripped away, he was utterly, completely invisible.
