Chapter 1: The Morning Everything Collapsed
Chapter 1: The Morning Everything Collapsed
Andrew watched the front door close behind Evelyn and shook his head.
"She's bluffing," he said confidently.
Brenda leaned against him with a satisfied smile.
"She has nowhere to go."
Margaret nodded.
"Without this family, she's nothing."
The laughter resumed.
Champagne glasses clinked.
Music filled the mansion once again.
None of them noticed the black SUV parked quietly across the street.
Inside sat a gray-haired gentleman in an impeccable suit.
He looked at his watch.
9:00 p.m.
He pressed a single button on his phone.
"Proceed."
...
The next morning, Andrew walked into the headquarters of Hawthorne Group expecting another ordinary Monday.
Instead, security guards stopped him at the entrance.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hawthorne."
"You'll need to wait."
Andrew frowned.
"What do you mean wait? I'm the CEO."
The guards exchanged nervous glances.
"The Board has already started the emergency meeting."
Andrew's confidence faded.
He stormed upstairs.
When the boardroom doors opened, every director was already seated.
At the head of the table sat Evelyn.
She wore a navy-blue business suit.
Her old brown leather purse rested quietly beside her chair.
Standing behind her were six attorneys.
Andrew froze.
"What is this?"
One of the senior directors stood.
"Mr. Hawthorne...please take a seat."
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"For the first time in four years..."
"...you'll be hearing the truth."
