Chapter 5 - Stripped to the Bone
Adrian looked wildly around the conference table, searching desperately for a single ally among the eleven voting members.
“Robert, you owe me your seat on this board,” Adrian hissed, his voice trembling with desperation.
Robert Vance, an elderly banker who had played golf with my father for decades, looked down at his leather notepad.
“I owe my loyalty to Arthur Whitmore’s legacy, Adrian,” Robert replied quietly. “Not to a man who dishonors his own blood.”
Evelyn Shaw raised her right hand.
“All those in favor of immediately terminating Adrian Sterling as Chief Executive Officer for cause, raise your hand.”
One by one, eleven hands rose into the air without a single second of hesitation.
Adrian stood frozen, watching the empire he claimed as his own vanish in less than ten seconds.
“Motion carries unanimously,” Evelyn declared, signing the resolution with a heavy black fountain pen.
“Furthermore, the board authorizes general counsel to forward this audit dossier directly to the United States Attorney’s Office.”
Adrian stumbled backward, bumping against the mahogany credenza behind him.
“You can’t do this to me! I have equity! I have millions in restricted stock options!”
Marcus Reed stepped forward, handing Adrian a single-page severance summary that contained no severance at all.
“Section 9 of your executive agreement specifies that termination for cause involving criminal fraud results in the immediate forfeiture of all unvested options.”
“Your personal accounts tied to corporate collateral have been frozen pending forensic asset recovery.”
“In short, Mr. Sterling, you leave this building with only the personal belongings currently inside your briefcase.”
Two armed security guards entered through the boardroom doors, stepping up behind Adrian’s chair.
“Please escort Mr. Sterling off the premises,” I instructed calmly, resting both hands on the table to steady myself.
Adrian stared at me with pure, unadulterated venom burning in his dark eyes.
“You think you won, Claire?” he spat, leaning over the table before the guards grabbed his arms.
“You're eight months pregnant with a child who will grow up in a broken home!”
“Madison loves me for who I am, not for your father's dirty money! We have a son together!”
“Then I suggest you go to the hospital and help her change his diapers, Adrian,” I replied with icy calm.
“Because starting today, neither of you will ever draw another dime from Whitmore Enterprises.”
The guards pulled him backward out of the double doors, his shouting fading down the corridor until the heavy latch clicked shut.
Only when the room went completely still did I feel the first severe contraction rip through my lower back.
I gasped, gripping Evelyn’s arm as a sharp wave of heat washed over my skin.
May you like
“Claire?” Evelyn cried out, jumping to her feet. “What is it?”
“The baby,” I whispered, breathing through clenched teeth. “She’s coming right now.”
