Chapter 7 - The Mastermind
Sitting at the far end of the boardroom table was Marcus Hayes—the Chief Operating Officer and Grant’s closest ally in the company. Marcus sat with his hands folded, a quiet, arrogant smirk resting on his lips.
"With all due respect, Claire," Marcus spoke up, his voice dripping with condescension, "you haven't run a corporate operation in over a decade. The board cannot simply allow a grieving wife to take the helm of a multi-billion-dollar enterprise during a crisis."
Claire looked at Marcus, a cold, calculated smile appearing on her face.
"I haven't been absent, Marcus," Claire said softly. "I've been watching."
She nodded to Arthur Vance, who slid a thin black tablet across the glass table directly in front of Marcus.
"What is this?" Marcus asked, his brow furrowing.
"That is the full transaction history of your private account in the Cayman Islands," Claire revealed, her voice echoing through the silent room. "The fifteen million dollars Grant embezzled didn't stay in Panama. Eight million of it was transferred to your shell company two days ago to buy your vote for his hostile takeover."
Marcus’s smirk instantly vanished. His face drained of color as he looked down at the precise bank routing numbers displayed on the screen.
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"Marcus Hayes," Claire said, leaning forward on her elbows, "you are terminated for corporate treason and conspiracy. Security will escort you out of the building."
Two armed guards stepped into the room, pulling Marcus from his seat before he could say another word. The remaining board members sat completely frozen, realizing that Claire wasn't just taking back her company—she was destroying anyone who had dared to cross her.
