CHAPTER 2 — THE EMPIRE FALLS
Damian's phone vibrated relentlessly.
One notification.
Then ten.
Then hundreds.
ACCOUNT FROZEN.
BOARD ACCESS REVOKED.
TRADING SUSPENDED.
His breathing became uneven.
"This has to be a mistake," he muttered, looking desperately at the executives surrounding the conference table.
No one answered.
The company secretary quietly removed the gold nameplate reading CEO – Damian Cross from the table.
It was the first time anyone had touched it in eight years.
Veronica grabbed Damian's arm.
"Tell them to stop!"
He stared at her in disbelief.
"I... can't."
The chairman slowly stood.
"Mr. Cross."
"According to Article Twelve of the shareholder agreement, the majority shareholder has exercised her authority."
He turned respectfully toward Elena.
"Ms. Voss, the board recognizes you as Executive Chair, effective immediately."
Every director in the room stood.
Not for Damian.
For Elena.
Damian's face drained of color.
"You knew..." he whispered.
"You all knew."
One director answered quietly,
"We knew who built this company."
"We simply waited for the day she chose to stop hiding."
Elena calmly signed one document.
Then another.
Without raising her voice, she gave her first official instruction.
"Continue paying every employee."
"Not one person loses their job because of today's events."
Several employees exchanged emotional glances.
For years, they had believed Damian had built the company.
May you like
Today they learned the truth.
He had merely been standing where Elena allowed him to stand.
