Chapter 4 - The Boardroom Ambush
The news of the altered Sterling Trust hit the corporate world like a seismic shockwave.
Julian was sitting at the head of the conference table in the Sterling Corp headquarters, nursing a massive headache.
His honeymoon in the Maldives had been a disaster of screaming matches with Chloe and obsessive calls to private investigators.
"We need to address the stock dip," Julian barked at his executive team.
Before anyone could answer, the glass doors of the boardroom swung open.
Elena walked in.
She was no longer the quiet, subdued wife wearing pastel cardigans to charity luncheons.
She wore a sharp, crimson power suit, her hair pulled into a sleek chignon, exuding an aura of absolute authority.
Flanking her were two of the most aggressive corporate lawyers in Manhattan.
"What is the meaning of this?" Julian demanded, jumping to his feet.
"Security!" Chloe shrieked from her seat next to Julian, her face turning pale.
"Security works for the majority shareholder," Elena stated calmly, taking a seat at the opposite end of the table.
"And as of 8:00 AM this morning, that is me."
She tossed a thick, leather-bound portfolio onto the polished mahogany.
"Arthur has transferred fifty-one percent of the voting shares into a blind trust for Leo Sterling."
"I am the sole executor until he turns twenty-five."
Julian stared at her, the blood draining completely from his face.
"You can't do this," he whispered, sounding like a frightened child.
"I didn't do it, Julian, your father did," Elena corrected, opening her folder.
"He realized the company was not safe in the hands of a man who makes decisions based on the whispers of his mistress."
Chloe slammed her hands on the table.
"I am his wife!" she screamed.
"You are a PR liability," Elena shot back, locking eyes with the woman who had ruined her life.
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"And speaking of liabilities, let's discuss the offshore accounts you've been embezzling company funds into for the past two years, Chloe."
The room went deathly silent.
