Chapter 5 - The Grand Boardroom Ambush
At 10:00 AM the following morning, the executive boardroom on the 50th floor of Vance Global Holdings was packed to capacity.
Evelyn Vance stood at the head of the mahogany conference table, flanked by Gavin Cross and four high-priced corporate litigation lawyers. Sitting around the table were the twelve principal board members, looking uneasy as financial reporters gathered outside the glass doors.
"Members of the board," Gavin announced, slamming a thick folder onto the table. "We are here to call an emergency vote under Section 4 of the corporate bylaws to strip Lucas Vance of his CEO position!"
The board members began whispering frantically among themselves.
"On what grounds, Mr. Cross?" the senior board chairman asked.
"On the grounds of gross corporate misconduct and domestic cover-up!" Gavin declared loudly, pointing to a series of fabricated medical documents projected on the screen. "Lucas Vance has used company security assets to cover up his wife Clara's severe psychological breakdowns! Yesterday, when his sister Victoria tried to intervene, Lucas physically assaulted her and framed her using manipulated security footage!"
Evelyn dabbed her eyes with a silk handkerchief, putting on a dramatic show of maternal grief. "My son has fallen under the influence of a dangerous, gold-digging woman. For the safety of this company’s stock, he must be removed immediately!"
Before the board chairman could call for a motion, the heavy double doors of the boardroom swept open.
Lucas walked in. He wore a tailored charcoal three-piece suit, exuding an air of calm, absolute authority. Walking right beside him was Clara, looking breathtakingly elegant in a cream tailored blazer suit, holding a leather folder of her own.
"A very touching performance, Mother," Lucas said, his deep voice cutting through the room like a razor blade. "Too bad your theater group forgot to check the digital signatures on those documents."
Gavin’s smile faltered slightly. "What are you talking about?"
Clara stepped forward, setting her folder on the center of the table with absolute confidence.
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"Those psychiatric records Mr. Cross just presented bear the digital timestamp of 3:00 AM this morning," Clara stated clearly, her voice strong and steady. "They were forged by Dr. Harrison at City General—a doctor who received a $200,000 wire transfer from Gavin Cross’s private offshore account at 3:15 AM."
The boardroom erupted into chaos.
