The Hidden Heir’s Revenge

Chapter 5: The Board of Directors

The study fell silent after the assistant delivered her message.

Samuel Grant slowly closed the letter Ethan had just folded.

His expression remained calm, but the tension in his eyes betrayed the seriousness of the situation.

“When is the meeting?” he asked.

The assistant straightened her posture.

“In one hour, Mr. Grant.”

“They’ve requested your immediate presence.”

Samuel gave a slight nod.

“I’ll be there.”

She bowed respectfully before leaving the study.

The heavy wooden door closed with a soft click.

Ethan looked at Samuel.

“What exactly is the Board of Directors?”

Samuel walked toward the tall windows overlooking the estate.

Beyond them, the lights of Ashford Manor glowed against the darkness.

“They are the men and women responsible for helping govern Ashford Global.”

He paused.

“Some served your father faithfully.”

He looked back at Ethan.

“Others…”

“I’m not so sure.”

Ethan frowned.

“You think one of them betrayed my family?”

“I don’t accuse people without evidence.”

Samuel folded his hands behind his back.

“But power changes people.”

“Twenty-five years is a long time.”

“It gives ambition room to grow.”

Ethan walked toward one of the portraits lining the study wall.

His father’s confident smile stared back at him.

“If they’re expecting the heir…”

“Shouldn’t I attend the meeting?”

Samuel’s answer came immediately.

“No.”

Ethan turned.

“Why not?”

“Because tonight…”

“They’re not expecting a leader.”

“They’re expecting a symbol.”

Samuel walked closer.

“And symbols are often attacked before they’re understood.”

Ethan considered his words.

“So what do you want me to do?”

“I want you to observe.”

“Learn.”

“Ask questions.”

“Before you lead an empire…”

“You must first understand it.”

Samuel opened a leather folder resting on the desk.

Inside were photographs of towering office buildings, factories, hospitals, shipping ports, and research facilities.

He spread them across the polished wood.

“This…”

He pointed to the first photograph.

“…is Ashford Global Headquarters.”

Thirty-eight floors of glass and steel rose proudly above Nova City’s financial district.

He moved to the next photograph.

“Ashford Bank.”

“One of the country’s most respected financial institutions.”

Another.

“Ashford Medical Group.”

“Hundreds of hospitals and clinics.”

Another.

“Ashford Logistics.”

“Shipping routes across four continents.”

Ethan stared at the photographs.

His father hadn’t simply built a company.

He had built an empire.

Samuel smiled faintly.

“And one day…”

“If you choose to accept your inheritance…”

“It will all become your responsibility.”

Not your privilege.

Your responsibility.

The words lingered in Ethan’s mind.

Responsibility.

Not power.

Not wealth.

Responsibility.

A knock sounded at the door.

Another butler entered.

“Mr. Grant.”

“The vehicle is ready.”

Samuel nodded.

He turned to Ethan.

“I’ll attend the meeting alone.”

“But before I leave…”

He reached into the desk drawer and removed a small silver key.

It was old, worn smooth by time.

He placed it gently in Ethan’s hand.

“Your father told me that if the day ever came…”

“I was to give you this.”

Ethan looked at the key.

“What does it open?”

Samuel smiled.

“He never told me.”

“He only said…”

“‘My son will know when the time comes.’”

Ethan closed his fingers around it.

Before he could ask another question, Samuel’s phone vibrated.

He glanced at the screen.

For the first time that evening…

His face hardened.

He answered immediately.

“Grant speaking.”

The voice on the other end was tense.

“Sir…”

“You need to get here now.”

“The Board meeting has already begun…”

“…and someone has just proposed removing the Ashford family from permanent control of the company.”

Samuel’s eyes narrowed.

“Who proposed it?”

A brief silence followed.

Then came the answer.

“Director Victor Kane.”

Samuel slowly ended the call.

He looked at Ethan.

“It seems…”

“They’re no longer waiting for you.”

“They’re making their move.”

Outside, thunder rumbled over Ashford Manor.

A storm was coming.

Not just in the sky…

But inside Ashford Global itself.