Chapter 18 - The False Victory
Elias’s document contained signatures from four directors.
Then five.
Then six.
An irrevocable voting agreement.
Elena’s stomach tightened.
“You bought them.”
“I persuaded them.”
“With stolen money.”
“That remains to be proven.”
Elias turned toward the room.
“Regardless of Mr. Cross’s inheritance dispute, I have enough support to call a vote of no confidence.”
Jonathan whispered.
“He can’t.”
Elena counted.
With Elias’s hidden shares and six directors supporting him, he could create chaos even without Damian.
Maybe enough to force litigation.
Maybe enough to freeze operations.
Elias called the motion.
Votes appeared on the screen.
For Elena.
Against Elena.
Abstain.
The count narrowed.
Elena watched the numbers.
Forty-nine point eight percent supported her.
Fifty point two opposed.
The room exploded with noise.
Elias closed his eyes briefly.
Victory.
Damian stared at the result.
He had done it.
Elena had lost.
Elias approached the microphone.
“Effective immediately, Elena Voss is removed from executive authority pending appointment of new leadership.”
Cameras flashed.
Jonathan looked at Elena.
She remained seated.
Elias smiled.
“Security.”
Two officers entered.
But they did not move toward Elena.
They walked toward Elias.
His smile disappeared.
“What is this?”
A federal agent entered behind them.
Then another.
“Elias Grant?”
The room went silent.
“You are being served with a federal preservation order concerning suspected wire fraud, securities manipulation, identity fraud, and conspiracy.”
Elias stared at Elena.
She finally stood.
“You called the vote too early.”
“What did you do?”
“I let you identify every nominee company.”
Elias’s expression changed.
The hidden shares he had spent years assembling were now exposed on a public voting record.
Every shell.
Every proxy.
Every collaborating director.
Jonathan placed another screen on display.
Veronica’s ledger appeared.
Then the recording.
Then Meridian.
Then the dead man’s digital signature.
The room turned on Elias in seconds.
Damian stepped backward.
Elias looked at him.
“You.”
Damian shook his head.
“I didn’t give them anything.”
Elena spoke.
“No.”
“He didn’t.”
She looked across the room.
“Veronica did.”
A door opened.
Veronica entered beside investigators.
Elias finally lost his composure.
“You stupid woman.”
Veronica stopped.
“No.”
She looked at Damian.
“Just temporarily useful.”
The phrase hit Damian like a slap.
Elena turned back toward the voting screen.
“One more thing.”
The corporate secretary stepped forward.
“Shares acquired through undisclosed coordinated ownership are suspended pending regulatory review.”
Elias’s eighteen point six percent disappeared from the count.
May you like
The result changed instantly.
Elena Voss retained control.
