Chapter 8 - The Boardroom Showdown
The eleventh-floor boardroom of Vance Industries was a masterpiece of intimidation: towering glass walls overlooking the city, a massive twenty-seat conference table carved from a single slab of African walnut, and twelve corporate directors sitting in absolute, nervous silence.
At the head of the table sat Arthur Vance, his fingers steepled together, his face carved from granite.
"Let us review the emergency voting protocol," Arthur announced, his deep voice echoing off the glass. "Due to the unfortunate mental instability and legal dissolution of my late niece, her thirty-percent voting share reverts automatically to the executive trust under my sole administration. All in favor of ratifying the asset consolidation—"
Clack.
The heavy double doors of the boardroom didn't just open—they swung wide open with a sharp, echoing slam that silenced Arthur mid-sentence.
All twelve directors turned their heads simultaneously.
Walking down the center aisle wasn't just Kenneth.
Walking beside him, leaning slightly on his arm but holding her head high with unmistakable dignity, was Clara Vance. Behind them walked little Mia, clutching a brand-new pink bicycle helmet in her hands, flanked by Marcus and two federal marshals in crisp dress uniforms.
Arthur’s face turned the color of curdled milk. He gripped the edge of the walnut table so hard his knuckles turned translucent.
"What... what is the meaning of this?!" Arthur bellowed, standing up abruptly. "Security! Remove these trespassers from the building immediately! This is a private corporate session!"
"Sit down, Uncle Arthur," Kenneth said, his voice cutting through the room like a razor-sharp blade.
Kenneth pulled out the chair at the center of the table—directly opposite Arthur—and gently seated his sister. Then he stood behind her, resting his hands on the back of her chair like a guardian sentinel.
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"You can't sit there!" Arthur shouted, his composure completely fracturing as the directors began whispering amongst themselves. "She is legally deceased! We have the probate certificate right here!"
"A certificate you forged, Uncle," Kenneth replied smoothly, pulling a crisp, stamped federal document from his leather briefcase and sliding it across the table toward the lead corporate attorney. "Allow me to introduce the primary beneficiary, legal majority shareholder, and rightful CEO of Vance Industries: my sister, Katherine Vance."
