Chapter 7 - The Boardroom Execution
At 8:00 AM the following morning, the 50th-floor executive boardroom of Titan Tower was packed for the emergency shareholders' meeting.
Julian Sterling sat at the head of the conference table in a bespoke charcoal suit, smirking arrogantly as the fourteen board members reviewed their agenda tablets.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Julian announced with theatrical gravity. "Due to recent erratic behavior and medical instability demonstrated by Mrs. Bennett, I move for an immediate vote to reassign all executive authority to Sterling Global Capital."
The heavy double doors of the boardroom were pushed open.
Lauren Bennett walked into the chamber, wearing a striking white power suit, her head held high, radiating absolute, untouchable authority.
Flanking her was Arthur Vance, four federal prosecutors from the Northern District of Illinois, and six armed United States Marshals.
Julian’s smirk instantly vanished, his jaw slackening in shock. "Lauren?! What is the meaning of this interruption?!"
"Sit down, Julian," Lauren commanded, her voice cutting through the room like a diamond blade.
Arthur Vance stepped forward, plugging a secure thumb drive into the boardroom terminal.
On the massive high-definition presentation monitors, the evidence detonated: high-resolution surveillance photos of Julian’s mercenaries, audio recordings of Julian plotting Lauren’s murder, and unredacted bank logs documenting forty-five million dollars in corporate embezzlement.
"Julian Sterling," the lead federal prosecutor announced with booming authority. "You are under arrest for attempted murder, federal wire fraud, interstate extortion, and corporate racketeering."
Julian jumped to his feet, knocking his leather chair backward. "This is a lie! My father is the Chief Judge! You can't touch me!"
"Your father was served with a federal grand jury subpoena thirty minutes ago, Julian," Arthur Vance replied coldly. "His judicial bench has been suspended."
Two federal marshals pinned Julian against the conference table, snapping heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists with brutal, metallic finality.
As Julian was dragged out of the boardroom in front of the stunned, silent directors, Lauren took her seat at the head of the table.
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"Item number two on the agenda," Lauren announced calmly, tapping her pen. "The immediate termination of Sterling Capital’s preferred shares."
The board voted unanimously in favor.
