Chapter 9 - THE BOARDROOM RECKONING
The top floor of the Sterling Tower in Manhattan was silent as Benedict entered the executive boardroom.
Seated around the thirty-foot polished mahogany table were six elderly men and women—the core members of the Sterling Enterprise Board of Directors. At the head of the table sat Arthur Pendelton, the senior chairman and long-time family advisor.
"Benedict," Arthur said, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses with a severe expression. "We called this emergency meeting because of the horrific press coverage over the past seventy-two hours. The Sterling stock has dropped 8% since Evelina Vance’s arrest."
"The company is stable, Arthur," Benedict said, taking his seat at the opposite end of the long table. "The Vance family’s assets have been seized, and our legal team has contained the fallout."
"That is not our only concern," another board member, Eleanor Vance-Cross (Evelina’s aunt), spoke up with an icy glare. "Rumors are circulating among the shareholders regarding the parentage of your daughter, Orla. There are claims that she is not the biological child of Lady Victoria, which violates the strict lineage clause of the Sterling Trust Charter."
Benedict leaned back in his leather chair, interlocking his fingers. "And where did you hear these rumors, Eleanor?"
"It doesn't matter where they came from!" Eleanor demanded, slamming a manicured hand on the table. "If the child is illegitimate, the trust funds allocated to her must be immediately frozen and returned to the board's management! Furthermore, your position as CEO must be reviewed due to gross failure of personal oversight!"
A tense silence fell over the room. Arthur Pendelton nodded grimly. "I’m sorry, Benedict. But under Clause 9 of the founder's charter, if an heir's lineage is questioned, you must produce certified proof of legitimacy within twenty-four hours, or step down."
Benedict smiled—a sharp, dangerous smirk that made several board members shift uncomfortably in their seats.
"I expected you to say that, Arthur," Benedict said calmly. He tapped a button on his armrest.
The heavy double doors of the boardroom opened. Marcus walked in, carrying a stack of thick, leather-bound folders, which he distributed to every board member at the table.
"What is this?" Arthur asked, opening his folder.
"Those are the financial audit logs from the Swiss accounts managed by Pendelton & Cross Holdings over the last twelve years," Benedict explained smoothly. "The same accounts that helped Richard Vance launder fifty million dollars from our charitable trust. The same accounts that paid two million dollars to a private clinic in Zurich four years ago to alter birth records."
Arthur’s face went dead white. Eleanor dropped her pen, her hands visibly trembling.
"You thought you were hiding behind the Vance family," Benedict said, standing up and leaning over the table, his presence dominating the entire room. "You thought if Evelina framed Orla and created a public scandal, you could force me to resign, take control of the trust, and bury your own financial crimes forever."
"This... this is blackmail!" Eleanor stammered, her voice shaking.
"No, Eleanor. This is evidence," Benedict corrected coldly. "Federal prosecutors have already been handed duplicate copies of these files. By noon today, arrest warrants will be issued for three people in this room."
Arthur closed his folder slowly, looking up at Benedict with defeated, empty eyes. "What do you want, Benedict?"
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"I want your immediate, unconditional resignations," Benedict stated, his voice ringing with absolute authority. "I want your voting shares transferred back to the Sterling Family Trust. And if any of you ever breathe Orla’s name to the press again, I will personally ensure you spend the rest of your natural lives in a maximum-security prison."
One by one, the board members bowed their heads in silent defeat.
