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THE FIVE-MINUTE ULTIMATUM 💇‍♀️⚡ / Chapter 7 / 10

Chapter 7 - The Secret Founder's ClauseWith Grant in federal custody and Vanessa facing life imprisonment, the executive board held an emergency vote that evening.

By unanimous decision, the board ratified my position as Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Enterprises.

My first official act as CEO was executing an immediate audit of every department, firing six corrupt executives who had aided Grant’s siphoning scheme, and restoring full health benefits and pension guarantees for all twelve hundred company employees.

I returned to my father’s old corner office overlooking Central Park, removing Grant’s nameplate from the desk and replacing it with a brass plaque reading: CLAIRE STERLING — CHAIRWOMAN.

Arthur walked into the office, handing me my mother's recovered gold locket, clean and undamaged.

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“Your father would be immensely proud of you, Claire,” Arthur said softly, tears of respect shining in his eyes.

I clasped the locket around my neck, looking out at the city lights with deep, unshakeable peace.

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Chapter 8 - Cracks in the Arrogant CEOThree months after the boardroom arrest, Grant sat in a federal detention cell awaiting trial.
Chapter 9 - The Handcuff VerdictSix months later, the criminal trial of United States v. Grant Sterling and Vanessa Cole concluded at the Federal District Court.
Chapter 10 - A Legacy RestoredOne year after the five-minute call.

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