Chapter 3 - The Boardroom ExecutionAt 9:00 AM the following morning, the grand glass-and-mahogany boardroom on the forty-fifth floor of Vance Logistics in downtown Chicago was packed with eighteen board members, senior investors, and corporate legal teams.
Daniel sat at the head of the conference table, wearing a fresh suit, trying desperately to maintain his posture, though his hands shook uncontrollably as he tried to pour a cup of water.
Beside him sat his senior corporate attorney, Arthur Sterling, who looked equally nervous.
"Members of the board," Daniel began, his voice cracking slightly. "I assure you, the rumors regarding an incident at my residence last night are completely unfounded. My wife experienced a brief personal health episode, and—"
BOOM!
The heavy double glass doors of the executive boardroom were thrown open with an echoing thud.
Stepping into the room, wearing an immaculate navy silk suit, her dark hair styled in an elegant knot, holding a leather binder bound by bright red judicial seals, was Claire Vance.
Flanking me were Detective Cole Miller, two Senior Special Agents from the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and my litigation attorney, Bridget Colton.
The entire boardroom went dead silent.
Daniel jumped out of his leather chair, his face contorting in sudden, panic-stricken rage. "Claire?! What are you doing here?! This is an executive board meeting! You have no right to enter this room!"
"I have every right, Daniel," I answered smoothly, walking down the length of the thirty-foot mahogany table, stopping right beside the primary investor, Lord Arthur Sterling. "Because as of seven o'clock this morning, I have officially executed my power of attorney over the Sterling-Vance Family Trust."
Lord Arthur Sterling—my late father's primary business partner—stood up, his gray eyes burning with cold, absolute authority as he looked at Daniel.
"Sit down, Daniel," Lord Sterling commanded flatly.
Daniel’s knees buckled, and he dropped heavily back into his leather chair.
"Claire has presented this board with undeniable proof of systemic embezzlement, wire fraud, and grand larceny," Lord Sterling announced to the eighteen directors. "Over the past year, Daniel Vance transferred over four million dollars of company funds into shell entities owned by his assistant, Vanessa Carter."
May you like
A collective, horrified gasp swept through the room. Board members began frantically reviewing the digital audit files popping up on their screens.
"Furthermore," Bridget Colton added, stepping forward with the criminal indictment papers, "Mr. Vance is currently under active criminal investigation for Felony Aggravated Poisoning and Conspiracy."
Related Stories
