2026-03-20 23:59:36
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chapter 104
Within minutes, the news spread everywhere. Social media feeds exploded with the announcement. Business news networks interrupted their regular programming to show clips from the press conference. Stock market tickers showed Sterling Global shares climbing steadily upward as investors reacted to the news. In boardrooms across the city, executives stopped their meetings to watch. In coffee shops, people pulled out their phones to see the ex-convict who'd been running a billion-dollar company in secret. In offices and living rooms and restaurants, the same conversation was happening everywhere. Did you see this? The chairman of Sterling Global was in prison. Can you believe it? --- Vivian's apartment was small and dark even in the middle of the day. She has rented an apartment after the stay in the hospital. She sat on her couch with the TV on, though she wasn't really watching it. Some morning talk show was playing in the background while she stared at the wall and thought about
CHAPTER 102
The main conference room at Sterling Global headquarters was packed by 8:45 AM.Journalists filled every seat, notebooks open, recorders ready. Photographers lined up along the back wall with their cameras already aimed at the empty podium. Three major news networks had camera crews positioned at different angles. Everyone was checking their phones, adjusting equipment, whispering to each other about what this announcement could possibly be about.Claire Sterling calling an emergency press conference with less than twelve hours notice meant something big.At exactly 9 AM, Claire walked into the room.The chatter died down immediately.Ethan stood just outside the doorway where the cameras couldn't see him yet. His hands were in his pockets and he was watching Claire walk to the podium with that calm expression she'd gotten used to over the past six months.Claire reached the microphone and waited for complete silence."Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I'm here to make an
CHAPTER 101
Gerald stood frozen in the doorway.The door still open behind him. His hand still on the handle.Staring at Ethan sitting in the chairman's chair."The door, Gerald."He didn't move.Claire walked past him. Her shoulder brushed his arm. She reached for the door handle and pulled it closed.Then she stood beside it. Arms crossed. Watching.Gerald finally found his voice."This is... this is impossible."---His brain tried to make sense of it.Tried to find an explanation that made sense."You're a convict. You have no education. No experience. You can't possibly be—"Ethan opened the desk drawer.Pulled out a black card.Set it on the desk between them."Do you know what this is?"Gerald stared at it."There are five of these in the world," Ethan said. "Issued to chairmen of the five largest corporations globally. This one belongs to Sterling Global.""That could be fake—""Call the bank. Verify it. I'll wait."Ethan slid the card closer to Gerald.Gerald didn't touch it.---He knew
CHAPTER 100
Gerald sat in his car outside Sterling Global headquarters.Engine off, windows up and Phone in his hand.He scrolled through his contacts. Found the number he needed.Pressed call.Two rings. Then a voice answered."Davidson Investigations.""I need to hire a private investigator.""What kind of investigation?"Gerald looked up at the building. "I need to know everything about someone's associations. Claire Sterling. CEO of Sterling Global."Pause on the other end. "That'll be expensive.""I don't care. I need it today.""Today?""By end of day. Whatever it costs.""All right. I'll see what I can do."Gerald hung up.Now he waited.---Three hours felt like three days.Gerald sat in a coffee shop across from Sterling Global. Watching people come and go. His phone sat on the table in front of him.Finally, it rang."Davidson."Gerald grabbed it. "What did you find?""I have preliminary findings.""Already?""You said it was urgent. I pulled some strings."Gerald leaned forward. "Tell
CHAPTER 99
Gerald stood on the sidewalk outside Sterling Global headquarters.People brushed past him. Rushed into the building. Talked on phones. Carried coffee cups. Living their normal lives.He just stood there. Staring up at the glass tower.His phone buzzed in his pocket. He ignored it.It buzzed again. And again.Finally, he pulled it out. Patricia calling.He answered."Did you find anything at legal?"Gerald's voice came out flat. "The chairman is real."Silence."What?""The seal. The authorization code. Eight years old. It's all real."He could hear Patricia breathing on the other end. Fast. Shallow."Gerald, that's impossible. We would have known—""We didn't." He hung up.---An hour later, they gathered at Gerald's house.His home office was too small for six people but no one complained. Patricia sat on the leather couch. Howard leaned against the bookshelf. Linda and Thomas took the chairs. Two other board members stood near the door.All of them held termination notices. White p
CHAPTER 98
"I want to see the legal team. Now."Gerald stood in the lobby of Sterling Global headquarters. His face was red. His hands were shaking.The receptionist looked uncomfortable. "Sir, I am not sure if—""I do not care what you are sure about. Get me the legal team. Immediately."The receptionist picked up the phone and made a quick call. Two minutes later, a woman in a dark suit appeared."Mr. Whitmore," she said. "I am Rachel from the legal department. How can I help you?""I need to see the termination documents. All of them."Rachel hesitated. "Sir, those documents are confidential—""I am a board member of this company. I have the right to review any documents that affect my employment.""Actually, sir, you were a board member. Your termination was finalized this morning."Gerald felt his jaw tighten. "Then show me the documents that finalized it."Rachel looked at him for a long moment. Then she nodded. "Follow me."They walked through the building to the legal department. Rachel
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