Chapter 5 - The Heir Disowned
The silence that fell over the great library was so absolute you could hear the winter wind howling through the chimney flues.
Vincent stared at his father, his jaw slung open, his eyes bulging as if he had been struck by lightning.
“You’re giving the company to Claire?” Vincent screamed, his voice cracking into high-pitched hysteria.
“She’s an art history major! She runs a non-profit foundation! She doesn't know how to run a multi-billion-dollar logistics firm!”
“Claire graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern with a dual degree in corporate finance and business administration, Vincent,” Richard replied coldly.
“She spent four years managing the Bennett Family Maritime Trust before you convinced her to step back and play housewife.
She knows our supply chain better than you do, because she’s the one who audited your quarterly reports while you were entertaining your secretary.”
I sat frozen in my leather chair, my heart pounding against my ribs as I looked at the gold-sealed charter.
For three years, Vincent had dismissed my professional intellect, treating my opinions on corporate strategy like cute hobbies.
Whenever I offered insight into the European shipping routes, he had laughed, telling me to leave the real business to the men.
Now, his own father was offering me the throne he had taken for granted his entire adult life.
“This is an outrage!” Vincent roared, slamming both hands onto the table and leaning across toward his father.
“I will contest this in chancery court! I will rally the junior shareholders! You cannot strip my birthright over an office romance!”
“Your birthright was conditioned on character, Vincent,” Richard said, his voice dropping into a tone of absolute, terrifying finality.
“You took an oath when you assumed the CEO position that your private conduct would never compromise this firm.
Instead, you dragged our name through five hundred employee chat rooms, exposed our accounts to legal liability, and lied to my face.”
Richard pressed an intercom button on the table, and two armed estate security guards entered the library within seconds.
“Escort Mr. Vincent Moretti off the grounds,” Richard commanded without looking at his son.
“His company car is being repossessed, his corporate credit lines have been canceled, and his access codes are revoked.
If he steps foot onto Moretti Holdings property without written permission from the CEO, have him arrested for criminal trespass.”
Vincent’s face twisted into an ugly, pathetic snarl as the two guards stepped up to his sides, gripping his arms firmly.
“Claire, don't do this!” Vincent yelled, struggling against the guards as they pulled him toward the double doors.
“You think you can run my company? The board will eat you alive!
You’ll come crawling back to me within a month begging me to save you!”
I stood up slowly, looking at my soon-to-be ex-husband with the calm, unshakable authority of a woman who had finally stepped into her power.
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“I won't be crawling anywhere, Vincent,” I said softly, meeting his wild, furious gaze.
“Security already has your suitcases in the lobby. I suggest you start looking for an affordable apartment.”
