Chapter 6 - The Emergency Session
At 2:00 PM that afternoon, the executive boardroom on the top floor of the Blake International Tower in Manhattan was filled with thirty of the company's largest shareholders and board members.
Julian Blake sat near the head of the table, wearing a crisp Italian suit, exuding arrogant confidence. With Edward taking frequent absences over the past week, Julian believed the board was finally ready to vote him in as interim CEO.
"Gentlemen," Julian announced smoothly, adjusting his gold cufflinks. "My uncle's health is clearly deteriorating. His recent absence during the Hudson Development deal proves he can no longer manage the firm. Today, we must vote to transition leadership."
Before the board members could respond, the heavy mahogany double doors burst open.
Edward Blake walked into the room, looking tall, imposing, and completely rejuvenated. But he was not alone. Walking beside him was Claire, dressed in an elegant tailored charcoal suit, her head held high, carrying a leather portfolio.
Julian’s face turned ghost-white. He stumbled back against his chair, his hands shaking. "Claire? What... what are you doing here?"
"She is here as the new Chief Executive Officer of Blake International," Edward announced, his voice booming across the grand boardroom.
"This is absurd!" Julian shouted, trying to regain his composure. "She’s been gone for five years! She’s an disgraced artist with no corporate experience! Uncle, you’ve lost your mind!"
"I haven't lost my mind, Julian," Edward said calmly, stepping up to the head of the table. "But you have lost your freedom."
Marcus stepped forward, dropping two thick legal binders onto the center of the table.
"Inside those binders," Edward explained to the stunned board members, "is evidence of Julian Blake embezzling fifty million dollars through offshore shell companies in Panama, along with audio recordings of him bribing city officials and blacklisting licensed architects—specifically, my daughter, Claire Blake."
The board members gasped, hurriedly flipping through the documents. Outrage erupted around the table.
"This is a lie!" Julian screamed, backing toward the door. "You framed me!"
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation doesn't work on lies, Julian," Edward noted coldly.
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On cue, four federal agents stepped through the boardroom doors, displaying their badges. "Julian Blake, you are under arrest for grand larceny, wire fraud, and corporate extortion. Place your hands behind your back."
As the handcuffs clicked around Julian’s wrists, he glared at Claire with pure hatred. Claire simply looked back at him with serene, quiet dignity as he was dragged out of the tower in disgrace.
