Chapter 2 - The Paper Trap
Ryan stared at the document sitting in his trembling hands, the bold legal lettering burning into his retinas. The corporate takeover notice explicitly outlined an immediate emergency freeze on all executive authority, effective precisely at 8:00 PM.
Vanessa’s face turned pale as she gripped Ryan’s sleeve tightly, her crimson dress rustling against the podium. "Ryan, what is she talking about? Tell her to leave! You said you had total control!"
"Shut up, Vanessa!" Ryan hissed under his breath, sweat breaking out along his hairline. He looked up desperately at the crowd of shareholders, investors, and high-society reporters who were already raising their smartphones to record the spectacle.
Luca stepped forward, his sharp charcoal tuxedo flawless under the stage lights. He adjusted his cuff links calmly and addressed the room in a clear, commanding voice that carried over the hushed whispers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as chief legal counsel for Vance Enterprises, I am authorized to inform you that Mr. Ryan Vance has been stripped of his position as Chief Executive Officer due to active federal investigations into financial embezzlement and corporate fraud."
Gasps rippled across the ballroom. A dozen flashbulbs went off simultaneously, blinding Ryan as he tried to back away toward the curtain backdrop.
Isabella stood completely unbothered, her posture regal as she met her husband’s terrified gaze with unshakeable composure.
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"You thought I was resting at the villa in Tuscany while you rearranged board seats, Ryan," Isabella said softly, her voice cool and crisp. "You thought my father’s illness made him weak. But every wire transfer you made over the last six months was logged directly to our private servers."
👉 Read PART 3 to see what happened when the federal agents stepped onto the stage!
