Chapter 3 - The Boardroom Storm
At 8:00 AM, I sat at my desk at Cole & Vance Financial, staring blankly at the computer monitor. I hadn't slept a single second. My eyes were bloodshot, my suit was rumpled, and my throat was raw.
The door to my office clicked open, and my colleague, Greg, poked his head in, a huge grin plastered across his face.
"Hey, big guy!" Greg cheered, stepping in and tossing a folder onto my desk. "Word on the street is that Mr. Nelson was singing your praises this morning! He told the executive board that your home was 'delightful' and the catering was world-class. You practically have that Regional Director position locked down!"
I didn't look up. "Thanks, Greg."
"Whoa, what's wrong with you?" Greg’s smile faded as he noticed my disheveled appearance. "You look like you got hit by a freight train. Did you stay up all night celebrating?"
Before I could answer, the office intercom buzzed sharply.
"Mr. Cole," the receptionist's voice squeaked through the speaker, sounding unnaturally nervous. "Please report to the main boardroom immediately. Executive Vice President Nelson and the Board of Directors are requesting your presence."
Greg winked at me. "This is it, man! The official offer! Go get 'em!"
I rose slowly, feeling as though I were walking toward a gallows. I didn't care about the offer. I didn't care about the six-figure salary increase or the corner office. The only thing I wanted was to hear Evelyn's voice again.
I walked down the long glass corridor toward the main boardroom. Inside, Mr. Nelson was sitting at the head of the polished mahogany table, but he wasn't smiling. Sitting beside him were three high-ranking corporate attorneys in dark suits, their lapels pinned with the gold emblem of Vance Holdings.
"Sit down, Daniel," Mr. Nelson said, his voice flat and stern—a stark contrast to his warm demeanor from last night.
I took a seat at the far end of the table. "Mr. Nelson, if this is about the promotion—"
"There is no promotion, Daniel," Mr. Nelson interrupted coldly.
I blinked. "What?"
Mr. Nelson leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. "Forty-five minutes ago, a legal team representing the majority shareholder of Vance Holdings—our primary parent entity—filed an emergency corporate injunction. They have revoked my authority to make any executive appointments within this branch."
My heart stopped.
"Furthermore," Mr. Nelson continued, taking a sip of water with a trembling hand, "the majority owner has requested a full financial audit of this entire branch, specifically targeting your division. They are reviewing every expense account, every client file, and every performance review you've submitted over the last three years."
One of the dark-suited attorneys stood up, sliding a thick folder across the table toward me.
"Mr. Cole," the attorney said, his voice clipped and precise. "I am legal counsel for Ms. Evelyn Vance. As of six o'clock this morning, she has officially taken full control of her late father's estate. She has issued a directive regarding your employment."
I stared at the folder, my throat dry. "What directive?"
"You are being placed on unpaid administrative leave effective immediately, pending the outcome of the audit," the lawyer stated calmly. "Furthermore, you are served with this."
He pulled a second document from his briefcase and slid it next to the first.
I recognized the bold red letters at the top: PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE AND TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER.
"She... she filed for divorce?" I stammered, my vision blurring.
"Ms. Vance has requested full legal and physical custody of your son, Lucas Cole," the lawyer replied smoothly. "The restraining order prevents you from approaching within five hundred feet of Ms. Vance, her son, or any properties owned by Vance Holdings. Since this office building is owned by a subsidiary of Vance Holdings, you have fifteen minutes to pack your personal belongings and clear your desk."
Mr. Nelson looked at me with a mixture of shock and profound disappointment. "Daniel... why didn't you tell me last night that your wife was Arthur Vance's daughter? When my wife and I visited, you told us she was taking a nap because she wasn't feeling well. And then your mother hinted that she was... hired help!"
"I..." I couldn't speak. The lies I had facilitated, the cowardice I had displayed, were now laid bare in front of the most powerful people in my professional world.
"Mr. Nelson," the lawyer interrupted, standing tall. "Ms. Vance requested that I deliver a personal message to you regarding Mr. Cole."
May you like
Nelson straightened up. "What message?"
The lawyer looked directly at me, his eyes cold and unblinking. "Ms. Vance said: 'Daniel Cole is very good at hiding the people who build his life so he can take the credit. Check his files carefully. You will find he hasn't built anything on his own.'"
