Chapter 8 - The Corporate Guillotine
Ryan stared at the supreme court seal on the adoption papers, his entire world collapsing into dust. He had billions of dollars in his corporate accounts, yet all the money in the world could not buy back the legal rights to the daughter standing three feet away from him.
But Alexander was not finished.
"While we are discussing things you no longer have any rights to, Ryan," Alexander continued smoothly, closing the black folder with a sharp, terrifying snap. "I believe it is time we discuss the Vance Real Estate portfolio."
Ryan froze, the color draining completely from his face. "What are you talking about?"
"For the past three years, your firm has been silently hemorrhaging capital due to your reckless overseas investments," Alexander revealed, his voice carrying clearly to the surrounding high-society investors. "You leveraged your primary commercial properties to secure bridge loans from anonymous equity firms, desperately trying to maintain your illusion of immense wealth."
Alexander offered a cold, predatory smile.
"My conglomerate owns those equity firms, Ryan. As of 5:00 PM this evening, your bridge loans defaulted. My legal team has already initiated the hostile takeover of your entire corporate board. You don't just lose your daughter tonight. You lose your empire."
The ballroom erupted into chaotic, breathless whispers. The elite investors who had been drinking Ryan's champagne minutes earlier immediately began pulling out their smartphones to text their brokers, realizing the man in the emerald green suit was officially bankrupt.
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Ryan stumbled backward, his hands shaking violently as he looked from the adoption papers to the cold, victorious eyes of the man who had taken everything from him.
👉 Read Part 9 to see Chloe’s desperate, panicked reaction.
