Chapter 9 - The Boardroom Execution
The private elevator of Vance Tower soared upward at breathtaking speed, carrying Elena, Julian, and Attorney Miller toward the seventy-fifth-floor boardroom. The walls of the elevator were made of reinforced glass, offering a panoramic view of the glittering New York City skyline under a dark, stormy night sky. Lightning flashed in the distance, casting brief, blinding bursts of white light across Julian’s impassive face.
Elena stood in the corner, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The dirt and stains on her wedding dress felt like a badge of humiliation, but she refused to cower.
"What does Victoria want?" Elena asked, breaking the long silence as the elevator neared the top floor.
"Grandmother wants to consolidate power," Julian replied without turning around. "With Marcus in hiding and the federal investigation temporarily halted by our legal team, there is a vacant seat at the head of the board. And someone needs to sign over the remaining voting shares before the market opens tomorrow morning."
"I am not signing anything," Elena stated firmly. "I don't care about your company, your shares, or your empire. I want a divorce, and I want out of this nightmare."
Julian finally turned his head, looking at her with a chilling, predatory grin. "Divorce implies a valid marriage, Elena. And since the courthouse records were scrubbed of your license this afternoon on my direct orders, legally, you were never married to a Vance at all."
Elena felt the breath catch in her throat. "You... you annulled the marriage before it even began?"
"Efficiency is my specialty," Julian said as the elevator came to a smooth, silent halt. The heavy glass doors slid open with a soft chime, revealing the cavernous, mahogany-paneled boardroom of Vance Global Shipping.
At the far end of a massive oak conference table sat Victoria Vance, flanked by four armed corporate security guards in black suits. But she wasn't alone. Tied securely to a high-backed leather chair beside her was Marcus, his face bruised, his designer shirt torn, and terror written all over his pale features.
"Elena!" Marcus cried out, thrashing against the ropes as they walked into the room. "Don't listen to them! They're going to destroy us!"
Victoria raised a single, diamond-ringed hand, and one of the guards stepped forward, striking Marcus across the face with the back of his hand to silence him.
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"Welcome, Elena," Victoria said, her cold voice cutting through the cavernous room like a razor blade. "Now that the entire family is finally gathered, we can discuss the small matter of treason."
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