Chapter 12
Elena glanced at the smartphone screen Arthur was holding out. The breaking news banner across the top of a major financial news network blazed in bright red letters: VANCE ENTERPRISES ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY RESTRUCTURING FOLLOWING FRAUD ALLEGATIONS AGAINST LATE CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
Elena’s eyes widened in horror as she read the subtext. Arthur hadn't been caught off guard by the financial leak—he had orchestrated it himself. He was pinning the entire corporate embezzlement scheme on her late husband, framing him from beyond the grave to secure complete control of the assets while playing the victim to the public.
“You... you used the data transfer to frame my husband,” Elena whispered, the reality of his cruel chess game crashing down around her.
“Smart girl,” Arthur said, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “The board already voted ten minutes ago to strip your late husband’s estate of all remaining voting rights. Which means Clara’s trust is officially voided. She legally belongs to the corporate guardianship program, managed by me.”
Clara clutched Elena’s waist, burying her face in the gold dress. “Mommy, I’m scared.”
“Don’t listen to him, Clara! He’s lying!” Elena shouted, her voice breaking with fury. She glared at Arthur, her eyes burning with a mother’s wrath. “You are a monster. You’ll use your own flesh and blood, step over corpses, and destroy a child’s life just to hoard numbers on a screen.”
“Business is war, Elena,” Arthur replied indifferently, nodding to the guards behind him. “Take the child to the east wing. Prepare her for the morning press conference. As for Elena, escort her off the property immediately. If she returns, have her arrested for trespassing.”
The four guards advanced into the room, their heavy boots stepping firmly across the floorboards. Two of them reached out, grabbing Elena’s arms and wrenching her away from Clara despite her violent struggles and screams.
“Mommy! Let me go! Mommy!” Clara screamed, thrashing as another guard scooped her up into his arms, carrying her toward the door.
“Get your hands off her! Leave my daughter alone!” Elena screamed, kicking furiously at the guards holding her, but they dragged her backward toward the corridor.
As they pulled her out into the grand hallway, the double doors at the end of the corridor opened, and a familiar figure stepped out of the elevator.
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It was Eleanor, holding her phone up to her ear, a cold, victorious smile playing across her lips.
***
