Chapter 8 - THE BOARDROOM MASSACRE
The glass-walled boardroom on the 50th floor of the Cole Tower in Manhattan was dead silent when Nathaniel walked in. Vivian sat at the head of the table, flanked by twelve board members. She looked triumphant, a queen about to witness a beheading.
"Nathaniel," Vivian said, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. "I am so glad you decided to be reasonable. Given your recent... mental break, signing over your voting rights is the best thing for the company."
Nathaniel didn't sit down. He walked slowly around the enormous mahogany table, his footsteps echoing ominously. "Where is Julian, mother?"
Vivian’s eye twitched. "Julian is... indisposed. He had an accident."
"Right. An accident," Nathaniel sneered. He stopped at the head of the table and slammed a thick black folder down in front of her. "I’m not here to sign anything, Vivian. I’m here to fire you."
The board members gasped in outrage. "Mr. Cole, you don't have the authority—" one started.
"Shut up," Nathaniel snapped. He pulled out a remote and pointed it at the massive screen at the end of the room. "Ladies and gentlemen of the board. You are currently in business with a murderer."
He hit play. The screen illuminated with the audio file of Vera’s confession, accompanied by financial documents showing wire transfers from Vivian’s offshore accounts to the hit squad, and medical records from the black-market doctor who induced Elise’s labor.
Vivian stood up, her face drained of all color. "This is a fabrication! Turn it off! Security!"
The heavy oak doors opened, but it wasn't corporate security. It was the FBI, heavily armed and wearing tactical gear.
"Vivian Cole," the lead agent announced, flashing a badge. "You are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, embezzlement, and kidnapping."
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The boardroom erupted into chaos. Board members scrambled away from Vivian as if she had the plague. For the first time in her life, the great matriarch looked completely powerless. She glared at Nathaniel, pure hatred burning in her eyes. "You destroyed our family," she hissed as the cuffs clicked around her wrists.
"No," Nathaniel replied smoothly. "I just saved it."
