Her Brother Slapped Her at His Own Engagement Party — Until She Made a Single Phone Call That Destroyed His Empire

"Yes, Mr. Sterling," Emily said clearly into the phone, ensuring the wealthy, elite guests surrounding them could hear every single word. "It's Emily. Execute the contingency plan immediately. Freeze all executive assets under Richard's name and initiate the hostile takeover."

Richard physically stopped breathing. The warm, bright ballroom lighting suddenly felt incredibly cold and suffocating.

All the color violently drained from his handsome face, leaving him looking like a terrified ghost. His jaw literally unhinged.

Mr. Sterling wasn't a random lawyer. He was the incredibly ruthless, completely untouchable Chairman of the Board of Directors for their father's empire. He was a man who answered to absolutely no one except the primary majority shareholder.

"What are you doing?!" Richard choked out, profound panic actively destroying his mind. "Sterling doesn't answer to you! I am the CEO!"

Emily slowly lowered the phone, a chilling, victorious smirk touching the corner of her lips.

"You're the interim CEO, Richard," Emily corrected smoothly. "You assumed Dad left the company to you because you were his favorite son. But you clearly didn't bother to read the final, notarized draft of the family trust before you locked it in your private safe."

Vanessa’s smug, triumphant smile completely disappeared. She looked at her fiancé in sheer, breathless confusion. "Richard? What is she talking about?"