Chapter 2 - The Executive TrapAt 8:45 a.m., inside the penthouse executive boardroom of the Sterling Logistics Building in downtown Chicago, Julian Sterling was adjusting the cuffs of his bespoke Italian suit in the mirror.
Beside him, Beatrice was sipping a fresh cup of espresso, wearing a pearl necklace that had once belonged to my late mother.
"Is the useless girl still missing?" Beatrice asked casually, checking her lipstick in her compact mirror.
"She ran out barefoot into the freeze," Julian sneered, picking up his leather briefcase. "She probably checked into a county clinic or ran to some women's shelter. It doesn't matter. Her phone is off, her car is still in the driveway, and she’s too terrified to show her face here."
"Good," Beatrice smirked. "Once the Vanguard investors verify the power of attorney today, the forty percent stake is ours. We can sell the primary distribution center by Friday, liquidate the company's pension reserve, and move to Saint Barthélemy before the auditors even realize the money is gone."
"Just make sure you smile during the video conference, Mother," Julian laughed. "We need to look like the grieving, dedicated family carrying on my late father-in-law's legacy."
At 9:00 a.m. sharp, the grand mahogany doors of the boardroom were locked from the inside.
Around the long marble table sat eight senior board members, alongside three high-definition monitors displaying live video feeds of the lead foreign investors from Vanguard Group.
Julian stood at the head of the table, turning on his microphone, putting on a somber, deeply reverent expression.
"Gentlemen," Julian began, his voice dripping with practiced sincerity. "As you know, my dear wife, Nora, has been deeply paralyzed by grief since the passing of her father, our founder, Arthur Vance. It breaks my heart to see her struggle, but she has recognized that she cannot manage her father's estate."
He opened his leather binder, pulling out a thick set of legal documents carrying my forged signature and a fake notary seal.
"I have here the fully executed Power of Attorney and Equity Transfer Agreement," Julian announced proudly, holding the parchment up to the cameras. "With this, Nora formally surrenders her thirty-five percent voting shares to Sterling Management Holdings, allowing us to finalize the twenty-million-dollar restructuring package."
"Are you absolutely certain Mrs. Sterling signed this voluntarily, Mr. Sterling?" asked Mr. Henderson, the senior trustee representing Vanguard.
May you like
"On my honor as her husband," Julian lied smoothly, pressing his hand to his heart. "She signed it last night in our home, in the presence of my mother."
"That's funny, Julian," a voice echoed through the boardroom’s ceiling speakers. "Because last night in our home, you were breaking my jaw."
Related Stories
