Chapter 4 - Shadows in the Boardroom
The announcement of Kincaid Global's sudden interest in Vance Pharmaceuticals sent shockwaves through the financial sector. Stock prices fluctuated wildly as rumors spread of an insider war.
Within forty-eight hours, Eleanor Vance requested an urgent private meeting at Kincaid Headquarters.
The top-floor conference room offered a panoramic view of the skyline. Miles sat at the head of the marble table, flank by his chief legal advisor, Sarah Sterling. Opposite them sat Eleanor Vance—a striking woman in her late fifties, with ice-blue eyes and immaculate blonde hair—accompanied by her son, Julian.
"Miles," Eleanor began with a suave, polished smile. "I must admit I was surprised. Kincaid Global has never shown interest in pharmaceuticals. Why buy up thirty percent of our floating shares overnight?"
"I recognize undervalued assets, Eleanor," Miles replied casually, leaning back. "And poor management creates fantastic buying opportunities."
Julian slammed his hands on the table, his face flushing red. "Don't play games with us, Kincaid! We know she's at your house. We know you're harboring a fugitive thief who stole proprietary company files!"
Miles didn't blink. "You're speaking about Marina Vance. The legitimate majority owner of Vance Pharmaceuticals."
Eleanor’s smile tightened, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Marina is unstable, Miles. After her father died, she suffered a mental breakdown. She is delusional. Whatever documents she handed you are fabricated nonsense. If you stand behind her, we will drag your name through the mud. We will release statements to the press questioning your judgment as a father and a CEO, claiming you are taking advantage of a mentally ill girl."
"Try it," Miles whispered, his voice dangerously low. "The moment a single article touches the press, I release the unredacted clinical trial reports from your offshore labs. The ones showing thirty children suffered severe side effects from your compromised batch of asthma meds."
Eleanor froze. The color drained from her face as she realized Miles didn't just have Marina—he had the smoking gun.
"You have twenty-four hours to step down from the board, Eleanor," Miles continued, standing up and buttoning his suit jacket. "Or I hand the files directly to the Federal Trade Commission."
May you like
As Miles walked toward the exit, Julian lunged forward, grabbing Miles by the lapel. "You think you've won? You don't know what we're willing to do to keep what's ours!"
Miles caught Julian's wrist in a vise-like grip, bending it back until the younger man winced in pain. "Touch me again, Julian, and you won't even make it to trial."
