Chapter 9 - The Boardroom Confrontation
Julian’s family was not happy.
The Vance family board of directors was led by Julian’s uncle, Charles Vance, a man who believed that billionaires should only marry other billionaires, or at least someone with a pedigree.
"Julian, this is a public relations disaster!" Charles roared during a closed-door board meeting. He slammed a tabloid magazine onto the conference table. The cover featured a photo of Julian, Sophie, and the twins outside the newly opened Sophie’s Bakery. The headline read: The Billionaire and the Baker: Julian Vance’s Cinderella Story.
"A public relations disaster?" Julian asked, his voice deceptively calm. "Our stock price is up four percent this month, Charles. The public loves the story. They see a human being, not just a corporate entity."
"She’s a waitress, Julian!" Charles sneered. "She has two children from a previous relationship! You are the head of Vance Enterprises! If you marry this woman, you are making a mockery of our family name. The board is prepared to vote for your removal as CEO if you do not end this ridiculous relationship immediately."
Julian stood up. The temperature in the boardroom seemed to drop ten degrees. He looked at each of the board members, his eyes filled with a cold, terrifying authority.
"You think you can threaten me?" Julian said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I built this company back from the brink of bankruptcy after my father died. I own fifty-one percent of the voting shares. If you want to vote to remove me, go ahead. But the moment I leave, I will withdraw all my personal capital, dissolve the Vance Foundation, and take my proprietary logistics software with me. This company will be bankrupt by Friday afternoon."
The board members looked at each other, their faces turning pale.
Charles stammered, "Julian, we... we are just looking out for your future—"
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"My future is my own to decide," Julian said, picking up his briefcase. "And my future includes Sophie, Emma, and Chloe. If any of you have a problem with that, you can submit your resignations by five o'clock today."
He walked out of the boardroom, slamming the heavy double doors behind him. He didn't care about the money. He didn't care about the board. He only cared about getting back to the bakery.
