Chapter 15 - The Boardroom Trap
At exactly nine o'clock, Warren Sloan entered the Thorne Global boardroom.
He wore a navy suit.
Silver cuff links.
And the relaxed smile of a man who believed the empire was already his.
Marcus sat at the opposite end of the table.
Victoria sat beside him.
Julian's chair was empty.
Khloe was nowhere in sight.
Warren noticed immediately.
“My condolences regarding your wife.”
Marcus stared at him.
“Save them.”
Warren smiled.
Board members slowly took their seats.
The proposed resolution appeared on the wall.
REMOVAL OF MARCUS THORNE AS ACTING CHAIRMAN.
APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY.
Warren began speaking.
He described unauthorized transfers.
Management instability.
Personal scandals.
Potential liability resulting from Khloe's hospital incident.
Every allegation had been carefully prepared.
Marcus allowed him to finish.
Then Warren called for the vote.
One by one, hands rose.
Marcus counted.
Thirty-nine percent.
Forty-four.
Forty-eight.
Fifty-one.
Warren smiled.
“Resolution passes.”
Victoria remained expressionless.
Marcus leaned back.
Warren stood.
“Effective immediately, Marcus Thorne is removed as acting chairman.”
The boardroom doors opened.
Every head turned.
Khloe entered in a wheelchair.
Damian pushed her.
Samuel Pierce walked beside them.
Marcus stood.
Warren did not.
His smile weakened.
“Mrs. Thorne.”
Khloe looked around the room.
“Did I miss the vote?”
Warren recovered.
“I'm afraid so.”
“That's unfortunate.”
Samuel placed a leather case on the table.
Warren stared at him.
Recognition appeared slowly.
“Judge Pierce.”
“Mr. Sloan.”
Warren's expression changed.
“You shouldn't be here.”
Samuel smiled.
“That's usually what guilty men tell retired judges.”
Several board members shifted uncomfortably.
Samuel opened the case.
“Before this resolution can become effective, there is an outstanding voting interest that has not been counted.”
Warren frowned.
“All registered shares were counted.”
“Registered shares.”
“Yes.”
Samuel placed the Bellweather trust document on the table.
“Not protective shares.”
Warren went pale.
Khloe watched him.
“You knew about the succession trust.”
“But apparently you didn't know about this one.”
Samuel explained the twelve-percent contingency block.
Board members whispered.
Warren interrupted.
“This is invalid.”
“It was certified at 6:42 this morning.”
“On what grounds?”
Khloe looked directly at him.
“Violence against an unborn beneficiary.”
Warren laughed.
“There is no evidence.”
Khloe nodded toward the screen.
“Play it.”
Isabella's body-camera video filled the wall.
The boardroom went silent.
They watched Isabella shove Khloe.
They heard the threats.
They saw the kick.
Then came Warren himself.
“Do not seriously injure her.”
Warren stood abruptly.
“This recording was illegally obtained.”
Damian almost smiled.
“That should be an interesting argument at your criminal trial.”
Two federal investigators entered through the rear doors.
Warren looked toward the exits.
Marcus stood.
“Sit down.”
For the first time in decades, Warren Sloan looked genuinely afraid.
Samuel recalculated the vote.
With Khloe's protective shares activated, Warren's coalition collapsed.
The removal resolution failed.
Then Khloe introduced another motion.
Immediate suspension of Warren Sloan from every corporate and fiduciary position pending criminal investigation.
The vote was unanimous.
Even Warren's allies abandoned him.
Federal agents approached.
But Warren suddenly smiled.
“You think this ends with me?”
Khloe studied him.
Warren looked at Marcus.
“Ask Julian where your father's original will is.”
Marcus froze.
May you like
Warren leaned closer as the agents handcuffed him.
“Because if that document becomes public, your precious wife may discover that the company was never supposed to belong to you at all.”
