Chapter 4 - The Boardroom Vultures
While Sarah rested under the care of top-tier specialists at Harrison Memorial Hospital, Arthur sat at the head of the massive mahogany conference table on the fiftieth floor of Harrison Tower.
It was 8:00 AM. The executive board members sat in stiff silence, whispering among themselves. Whispers had already leaked about Arthur’s sudden midnight hospital dash and the appearance of a sickly woman and a young boy claiming the Harrison bloodline.
Richard Sterling—Arthur’s nephew and the senior vice president of operations, who had long assumed he was the sole heir to the multi-billion-dollar empire—cleared his throat loudly, standing up at the other end of the table.
"Uncle Arthur," Richard began, his tone dripping with patronizing concern. "We’ve heard rumors about last night. Given your age and your... sudden emotional investments, the board is naturally concerned about corporate stability. Bringing in unverified claimants during a major restructuring phase could destabilize our share prices."
Arthur didn't look up from the document he was reviewing. He was slowly, deliberately tapping a gold pen against the dark wood.
"Are you finished, Richard?" Arthur asked, his voice cold enough to freeze liquid nitrogen.
Richard frowned, adjusting his silk tie. "I'm just saying, legally speaking, a vagrant woman and a random child cannot simply stake a claim to the trust without a rigorous forensic audit and DNA verification. It’s bad for business."
Arthur slowly set his pen down. He looked up, his dark eyes boring straight into Richard’s soul with a predator's focus.
"My daughter Sarah is undergoing medical evaluation as we speak, and young Leo is my flesh and blood," Arthur said, his voice rising just enough to command absolute silence in the massive room. "And as for the trust? Every single share, every property deed, and every penny of my personal holding is tied to a living bloodline heir."
Arthur stood up slowly, leaning forward over the table.
"Furthermore, effective immediately, Richard, your position as senior vice president is suspended pending an internal ethics review. I think we’ll find plenty of financial discrepancies in your department to keep investigators busy for a very long time."
Richard’s face drained of color. "You can't do that! The board will never vote to—"
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"The board serves at my pleasure," Arthur interrupted smoothly, signaling his chief legal counsel to open the door. "Now, get out of my sight before I have security throw you out."
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