Chapter 1 – The Emergency Board Meeting
Chapter 1 – The Emergency Board Meeting
The convoy of black SUVs disappeared into the night, leaving chaos behind at the mansion.
Inside the dining room, Lucas stood frozen, still staring at the notification on his phone.
CONTROL OF HAWTHORNE TECHNOLOGIES HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED UNDER BOARD AUTHORITY. EMERGENCY SESSION IN PROGRESS.
"No..."
His voice shook.
"This has to be fake."
Richard grabbed the phone from his son, scrolling through the legal notices with trembling hands.
"It can't happen without my approval!"
"It already did," Helen whispered, her face ghostly pale.
Sophie clutched Lucas's arm.
"Tell me they're bluffing."
Lucas didn't answer.
Because he finally remembered.
Four years ago, when his company had been drowning in debt, a mysterious investment fund had stepped in at the last possible moment.
The investors never attended parties.
Never asked for publicity.
Never interfered.
Until now.
Meanwhile...
On the forty-second floor of Hawthorne Tower, the boardroom doors opened.
Every executive stood the moment Isabella entered.
"Good evening, Chairwoman."
She nodded calmly.
"Let's begin."
Her assistant distributed new folders.
"Item one," Isabella said.
"The removal of Lucas Hawthorne as Chief Executive Officer."
No debate.
No hesitation.
Every board member raised a hand.
"Approved."
The company lawyer slid another document across the table.
"Item two."
"Immediate forensic audit of all executive expenses."
Another unanimous vote.
Then came the final motion.
"Item three."
"Freeze every executive account connected to unauthorized company spending."
Again...
Approved.
Isabella closed the folder.
"The meeting is adjourned."
One elderly director smiled.
"For four years you protected this company while allowing your husband to believe he was in charge."
She answered quietly,
"I wasn't protecting him."
"I was protecting the employees."
Forty minutes later...
Lucas stormed into company headquarters.
Security blocked the entrance.
"I'm the CEO!"
The guard remained expressionless.
"Not anymore, sir."
Lucas laughed bitterly.
"You know who I am?"
"Former CEO Lucas Hawthorne."
The words landed like a slap.
Richard tried pushing past security.
"This company belongs to my family!"
A lawyer appeared beside the reception desk.
"It belongs to Hawthorne Capital Holdings."
Richard's face twisted.
"Who owns Hawthorne Capital?"
The lawyer answered without emotion.
"Chairwoman Isabella Bennett."
Silence.
Lucas felt his knees weaken.
Everything...
Had always belonged to her.
Across town, Isabella stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of her office.
The city lights stretched endlessly below.
Her assistant approached.
"There's one more matter."
"The press is waiting."
Isabella smiled faintly.
"They've waited long enough."
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Tomorrow...
The entire country would learn who she really was.
