CHAPTER 2 — The Board Chooses
Chapter 2 – The Empire Cracks
The doors closed behind Isabella with a quiet click.
Inside the mansion, panic erupted.
Lucas stared at his phone as notification after notification flooded the screen.
Board Meeting Activated.
Executive Authority Suspended.
Corporate Accounts Frozen Pending Review.
"No..." he whispered.
Richard grabbed his own phone, refreshing the company dashboard again and again.
"This can't be happening."
Helen looked at Lucas with growing fear.
"You said you controlled the board."
"I did," Lucas answered.
"Then why isn't anyone answering your calls?"
He dialed the Chairman.
Straight to voicemail.
He called the Chief Financial Officer.
No answer.
Then the company's General Counsel finally picked up.
"Lucas," she said quietly.
"The board has voted."
His heart pounded.
"Tell them to stop this."
"I'm afraid I can't."
"Your authority has been revoked effective immediately."
The line went dead.
Silence filled the room.
Even Sophie looked frightened now.
"You promised we'd be fine."
Lucas couldn't answer.
Because he had just realized something.
Everything he thought he owned...
Had belonged to Isabella all along.
Across the city...
The boardroom doors opened.
Every director stood as Isabella entered.
No applause.
No dramatic speeches.
Only respect.
The Chairman nodded.
"Welcome, Ms. Bennett."
She took her seat at the head of the table.
"For three years," she began calmly, "I watched this company from the shadows."
A screen illuminated behind her.
Hidden financial records.
Unauthorized transfers.
Luxury purchases disguised as business expenses.
Millions diverted into private accounts controlled by Lucas and Richard.
One director covered his mouth.
Another shook his head in disbelief.
"This is corporate fraud."
Isabella remained composed.
"I gave them every opportunity to lead with integrity."
"They chose greed."
The Chairman called for a vote.
"Motion to remove Lucas Bennett and Richard Bennett from all executive positions."
Every hand was raised.
Unanimous.
The gavel struck once.
"It is done."
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For the first time in years...
The Bennett empire no longer belonged to the Bennett family.
