Chapter 12 - The Uncle's Gambit
The tension in the boardroom instantly spiked to a suffocating level. Richard Sterling slid a thick, notarized legal document across the mahogany table toward Marcus, who snatched it up eagerly, scanning the signatures with wide, disbelieving eyes.
"This... this is completely legal," Marcus breathed, looking up at Richard with sudden deference. "Arthur executed a proxy transfer clause citing familial emergency. Richard, you hold fifty-one percent of the voting shares."
Julian didn't flinch. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest as he watched his uncle take the seat at the opposite end of the table. Richard looked entirely too comfortable, flashing a predatory grin that reminded Julian uncomfortably of his father.
"Hello, nephew," Richard said smoothly, resting his hands on the table. "It seems you were so busy playing hero with a banquet waitress that you forgot how the corporate game is actually played. Power abhors a vacuum. When Arthur fell, someone had to pick up the crown."
Emma shifted slightly behind Julian’s chair, her hand resting momentarily on his shoulder in a silent gesture of support.
"You have no right to be here, Richard," Julian said, his voice entirely devoid of fear. "You were bought out of the domestic operations fifteen years ago."
"Legally, yes," Richard chuckled, leaning forward. "But a family trust is a complex beast, Julian. Your father was so busy guarding his throne from outsiders that he forgot to check his own backyard. Now, as the majority shareholder and acting chairman, my first official order of business is simple."
Richard pointed a finger directly at Emma.
"Remove that woman from the premises immediately, strip Julian of his executive title, and initiate a formal custody petition to place the child, Leo, under the guardianship of the corporate trust."
A collective gasp echoed around the room. Even a few of Richard's supporters looked uneasy at the blatant cruelty of the proposal.
"You wouldn't dare," Julian snarled, slamming his hand onto the table. The sharp sound startled the room into absolute silence.
"Try me," Richard challenged, standing up to tower over the table. "You have one hour to clear your office and hand over your security keys, Julian. Otherwise, I’ll ensure Emma is arrested for trespassing and extortion."
Before Julian could liven his response, the heavy boardroom doors swung open yet again. This time, it wasn't a board member or a lawyer. It was the head of hotel security, rushing in breathless, holding a ringing secure tablet.
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"Mr. Sterling," the security chief gasped, looking directly at Julian. "You need to take this call. It's the federal prosecutor's office. They just raided Arthur's offshore accounts, and they found something involving Richard."
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