Chapter 7 - The Corporate Strike
Claire’s warning proved prophetic forty-eight hours later.
On Monday morning, the financial headlines exploded across Wall Street:
WOLFE INDUSTRIAL GROUP IN CRISIS: CEO ADRIAN WOLFE UNFIT TO LEAD? SECRET FAMILY UNCOVERED IN RURAL PENNSYLVANIA BOARD CONSIDERS EMERGENCY VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE
Victoria Sterling and her father, Arthur Sterling, had launched a coordinated media strike. They leaked fabricated stories to major financial outlets, claiming that Adrian had abandoned his executive duties, succumbed to mental instability, and was pouring company assets into an obscure, illegitimate family in Pennsylvania.
At 10:00 AM, Adrian’s CFO, Marcus Vance, called his private line.
"Adrian, it’s a bloodbath," Vance said frantically. "The stock price dropped seven percent at the opening bell. Arthur Sterling has rallied forty percent of the voting shareholders. They’ve called an emergency board meeting for tomorrow afternoon in Manhattan to remove you as Chairman and CEO."
"Let them call it," Adrian said, standing by the window of his stone estate, watching the morning fog lift off the valley.
"Adrian, you don't understand!" Vance pleaded. "If Sterling takes control, his first move will be to file an injunction against you, freezing your personal liquidity and dragging those little girls through a high-profile custody investigation to discredit you completely!"
Adrian’s eyes narrowed into slits of ice. "They want a war in Manhattan? Then we’ll give them one. Vance, prepare my private jet. And call my legal team."
"Are you coming back to New York alone?"
Adrian looked out the window. Down the driveway, the blue station wagon had just pulled up. The three girls were jumping out, running toward the front porch carrying colorful drawings they had made at school.
"No," Adrian said, a ruthless, brilliant smile touching his lips. "I’m bringing my entire family."
Two hours later, Adrian sat in the cottage living room with Claire and the triplets.
He explained the situation clearly, hiding nothing, but framing it in a way the girls could understand.
"Some mean men in New York are trying to tell people that I shouldn't be your father," Adrian said gently, looking at the three girls. "They are going to try to say that I don't love you, and that you don't belong with me."
Sophie’s eyes went wide. "Are they going to take you away?"
"No one is taking anyone away," Adrian said firmly. "But I need to go to a big meeting in New York tomorrow to stand up to them. And I would like you, your sisters, and your grandmother to come with me."
Emily stepped forward, looking at Adrian intently. "Is it like a battle?"
Adrian smiled softly at her fierce spirit. "Yes, Emily. It’s a battle. But in this battle, we win by showing them how strong we are together."
Emily looked at her sisters, then back at Adrian. She reached out and took his bandaged hand, squeezing it with surprising strength for a six-year-old.
"We’re coming with you," Emily declared. "And if those mean men try to hurt you, I’ll tell them about the truck."
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Claire chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It looks like the Wolfe blood is strong in this one, Adrian."
"Too strong," Adrian agreed, a deep, profound pride surging through his heart.
