Chapter 7 - The Shadows in the Boardroom
Arthur Vance let out a soft, patronizing laugh, adjusting his silk tie. "Off the board? Ryan, my family holds thirty-five percent of Whitmore Enterprises voting stock. You cannot remove a senior chairman without a two-thirds majority vote from the board of directors."
Ryan took two slow, heavy steps toward the older man, his gray-blue eyes burning with icy resolve.
"I spent four hours last night reviewing the private financial archives from three years ago, Arthur," Ryan revealed softly. "Specifically, the forged non-disclosure agreement bearing my fake signature, and the six million dollars in offshore bribe payments you funneled through Vanguard Holdings to keep Grace hidden in Indiana."
Vance’s arrogant smile vanished completely. The color drained from his face, his hands tightening around his silver cane.
"You committed corporate fraud, medical blackmail, and child endangerment," Ryan continued, his voice echoing through the quiet medical suite. "And as of seven o'clock this morning, federal prosecutors have executed search warrants on your private offices in Whitmore Tower."
Vance swallowed hard, stepping backward as two federal marshals in dark coats stepped out from behind Marcus in the hallway.
"Arthur Vance," the lead marshal declared, stepping forward with raised handcuffs. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit corporate fraud, extortion, and illegal medical tampering."
Vance glaring at Ryan with pure, bitter hatred as the heavy steel handcuffs were clamped onto his wrists. "You're destroying this family's legacy, Ryan! You chose a housemaid's daughter over a multi-billion-dollar merger with the Brooks family!"
"I chose my children, Arthur," Ryan replied coldly, turning his back on the traitor as the marshals dragged Vance away down the corridor.
Marcus stepped into the room, holding an encrypted digital tablet. "Boss, the emergency board meeting has been called for two o'clock today. The remaining board members are waiting for your statement."
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Ryan walked back to Grace, taking her hand into his large, warm grip.
"Get ready, Grace," Ryan said softly, a dark, confident smile touching his handsome face. "We are going to Whitmore Tower."
