Chapter 8 - THE HOSTILE TAKEOVER
The next morning, the financial news networks were on fire. Richard Sterling had called an emergency board meeting at Hale Enterprises. Using a loophole in the engagement contract and the frozen assets, Richard was attempting a hostile takeover, aiming to oust Adrian as CEO before Adrian could expose him.
At 10:00 AM, the Hale boardroom was packed. Richard Sterling sat at the head of the table, looking smug. Vanessa sat beside him, sporting a bruised cheek but smiling venomously.
"Adrian Hale has proven unstable," Richard announced to the nervous board members. "His erratic behavior at the engagement party and his disappearance have jeopardized this company. I am calling for an immediate vote of no confidence."
The boardroom doors slammed open. Adrian walked in, impeccably dressed in a tailored navy suit. But he wasn't alone. Walking right beside him, wearing a sharp business blazer and holding a black leather book, was Claire.
"There won't be a vote, Richard," Adrian said, his voice echoing off the glass walls. "Because you don't own shares in this company anymore. You bought them with blood money."
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Vanessa stood up, pointing a trembling finger at Claire. "Security! Arrest that woman! She stole from our penthouse!"
"She didn't steal," Adrian countered, tossing a stack of printed documents onto the mahogany table. "She retrieved evidence. Evidence of extortion, racketeering, and murder."
